500 council jobs under threat

AT least 25,000 council jobs across England — including 500 in Oldham — will be under threat in the next three to five years according to a BBC survey.

The grim forecast is based on answers from 49 local authorities, with a combined work force of 256,000, suggesting cuts of 10 per cent.

As councils battle to beat the credit crunch, services such as libraries and nurseries face cuts.

More than 70 per cent of councils that responded to the survey predicted spending cuts of 5-20 per cent.

Roads, libraries and leisure appear to be most at risk while social services for children, services for the homeless and planning look pretty safe.

Councillor Howard Sykes, council leader, said: “The figure of 500 fewer employees is an estimate based upon a realistic assessment on the reduced funding we’re likely to get from central Government over the next five years.

“To put the challenges we’re facing into context, we made £21 million in savings last year and that was only the start. Next year’s budget saves a further £11 million, and looking ahead we estimate a £45 million reduction in spending will be needed over the next three years.

“This won’t be easy but to get through it we need clear budget priorities that invest in the areas that citizens have told us matter to them, their families and neighbourhoods — like tackling crime, improving roads and the wider environment.

“At the same time we will deliver more efficient services by continuing to strip away tiers of management, merge services and work more closely with partners like the NHS and neighbouring authorities.

“We hope to achieve any necessary job cuts without the need for compulsory redundancies and will consult out staff and trade unions throughout this process.”