City of York Council set to axe 350 jobs (From York Press)

City of York Council set to axe 350 jobs

9:00am Saturday 27th June 2009 in

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MORE than £15 million of savings are to be made at City of York Council, leading to job cuts, spending cuts and a shake-up of vital services.

The authority has unveiled plans for a massive overhaul of its budgets, in an attempt to end the year-on-year battle to trim costs.

At least £15.5 million of savings are sought over the next three years, according to an “efficiency report” published yesterday. It says there will “inevitably” be job losses, but says natural wastage will be used whenever possible.

The Press has been told as many as 350 jobs could go. There are currently 8,100 posts at the council, but that includes multiple jobs for the same people.

Council leader Andrew Waller said even more savings may become necessary after the General Election, but said the council would not compromise on the quality of services.

But John Kinsella, regional organiser of the trade union Unison, said: “We are absolutely appalled. It looks as though this efficiency report suggests huge cuts in the workforce of the council and privatisation on a large scale, which we consider will lead to a drastic reduction in services.”

The potential savings are being identified by consultancy firm Northgate Kendric Ash, who will be paid only if the savings are achieved.

They have already identified more than £17 million of potential savings, across ten areas.

Proposals include:

* Making some staff more flexible, so they do different jobs rather than one specific role

* Closing some reception points and replacing them with a single customer service unit

* More use of large corporate contracts, to cut spending on goods such as paper and food

* Less computer equipment, meaning less need for space in the planned new headquarters

* Providing more services online

* Outsourcing or privatising some services.

The report, entitled More For York and written by the council’s director of resources Ian Floyd, also suggests possible cuts in senior management and up to £3 million of cuts in adult social care, including more use of warden call or telecare services giving more “customer independence”. Mr Kinsella said: “We are amazed that the council is going down this line given the findings of the BBC Panorama programme recently. Staff employed by City of York Council to provide care services do so to the highest standard. Providing good value for money and maintaining direct provision is in the best interest of the community in York.”

In April, an undercover Panorama reporter revealed problems with the Carewatch provider in York, including missed or late calls.

In his report, Mr Floyd said the challenge facing councils in coming years “should not be understated”, with more demand on services and less public spending as a result of the global economic crisis.

He said there had to be a “robust and substantial” efficiency drive, which would be “almost impossible” with existing staffing levels.

He said it was time for a “one council” approach to savings, rather than pursuing department by department cuts.

The report will go before the council’s ruling executive on July 7.

Where the first cuts will be

IF approved, the efficiency programme will focus on ten areas in its first year: Neighbourhood services; housing; adult social care; customer services; procurement; information and communications technology; income collection; human resources; property; and senior management structures.

What the politicians say...

Andrew Waller, council leader (Liberal Democrat): “It is clear that over the next three years public expenditure is going to be cut hard. We will not know the full extent until after the General Election. This gives us a process to review the efficiency of the council. I am determined that we look for this £15 million of savings, but that we do it proving York solutions to York issues.”

David Scott, leader of the Labour opposition, said Labour had long called for structural changes to save money. But he said: “We are concerned that at a time when satisfaction with council services continues to drop efficiency should not mean a reduction in services.” He said cuts in senior management could save £1.6 million a year, which he said would be enough to re-open the Barbican Centre.

Ian Gillies, leader of the Conservatives: “This is the first step. In itself, it is not an end. It is the first step in an efficiency process. I am confident we will reach the targets, and we need to, because we cannot go on increasing public spending.”