City of York Council job cuts and savings on the agenda at union meeting (From York Press)

City of York Council job cuts and savings on the agenda at Unison meeting in Swinegate

10:04am Wednesday 1st July 2009 in News By Gavin Aitchison, gavin.aitchison@thepress.co.uk

THE first talks were taking place today into potentially massive cuts in spending and jobs at City of York Council.

Unison representatives will gather at their branch office in Swinegate at lunchtime to discuss the council’s proposed “efficiency review”, and opposition councillors will also debate the proposals this afternoon. As reported in The Press on Saturday, the council is looking to cut its costs by more than £15 million over the next three years.

Sources have said as many as 350 jobs could go.

Officials said reductions in public spending, coupled with increased demand, have forced a radical restructure, and an end to the increasingly-desperate process of trimming costs year-on-year within the existing structure.

But Unison’s regional organiser, John Kinsella, said the trade union was “absolutely appalled”, especially by suggested cuts in social services where the council’s structures has been heavily criticised.

The proposals will be discussed by the council’s shadow executive at 5.30pm today. Labour leader Coun David Scott said there was a need for the council to save money, but said: “We are concerned that, at a time when satisfaction with council services continues to drop, efficiency should not mean a reduction in services.”

Later this week, Unison representatives are due to meet with senior council officials to discuss the proposals more fully.

The council appointed consultants Northgate Kendric Ash to find major savings. The council refused to say how much the firm was being paid, but said it would only get its fee if the proposed savings were achieved.

A report to councillors said job cuts were inevitable, but Mr Kinsella said increasing council tax or re-investing a £1.8 million VAT rebate should be considered.