Over 200 council jobs to be axed

Council Crest

Rochdale Borough Council has announced details of proposals to save a total of £45 million from 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2015 that could see a further 200+ council jobs axed.

The savings strategy includes reductions from a range of activities including a recruitment freeze, voluntary redundancies, contract management and maximising procurement efficiencies.

Staff have been briefed on the proposals which, if implemented, could see a net reduction of approximately 200 jobs. It is also anticipated that significant additional savings will be achieved through further voluntary redundancies. 

The proposals for services include:

• £14.6 million - Adult Care/Children, Schools & Families Service proposals include changes to Adult Care Service teams, reviews of some Adult Care/Children, Schools & Families Service delivery models, changes to Adult Care eligibility criteria, increasing charges for non residential Adult Care services, a review of Youth Service; Children’s Centre and Information, Advice and Guidance Service provision as well as a range of ongoing operational efficiencies. 
• £2.5 million - Corporate Service proposals across Property, Highways and Support Services. 
• £1.2 million - Operational and Planning & Regulation Service proposals encompass reviews of existing service waste and recycling service provision, reviews of service delivery models within Operational Services and reviews of service provision within some Planning & Regulation services. 
• £2.7 million - Customers and Communities Service (including Regeneration) proposals encompass reviews of service staffing structures, service provision and service delivery models as well as some ongoing operational efficiencies.

The proposals will be on the council website from 5pm on 18 September 2012. To view and submit your comments visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/yourviews

The closing date for this public consultation will be 12 December 2012 at 5pm. Responses and suggestions will be considered before decisions are announced in February 2013.