Council budget cuts leave 1,000 facing axe
THE council could slash 1,000 jobs from its workforce while frontline services will feel the brunt of budget cuts over the next four years.
Investment in schools, elderly care, bus routes, youth projects and sports will be severely affected and extra charges may be slapped on public services as the council considers contingency plans in preparation for cuts to its government grant of 45 million up to 2014.
Despite the cash deficit there will be an increased demand for public services as West Lothian Council's head of finance, Alan Logan, described the outlook for public spending in the coming years as "bleak" in a report.
Council leader Peter Johnston said the financial challenges facing the council were "unprecedented", and that "tough choices lie ahead", including a possible council tax increase in the years ahead.
County residents are to be involved in the decision-making process over what services will be affected through a public consultation where ideas and comments can be submitted.
Unions will also be involved during the consultation process on the inevitability of staff pay-offs as the council faces up to a major review of its no compulsory redundancy policy.
The raft of proposed cuts include closing community education centres, libraries, swimming pools and customer information centres.
Other measure could include increasing class sizes with a loss of 50 teachers; reducing family subsidies for wraparound care; removing subsidies for school milk, fruit and bread; and reducing free school buses to the statutory limit, which is two miles for under-eights and three miles above that age.
The qualifying distance is currently 1.5 miles for all primary pupils and two miles for secondary.
The private sector could be used more to care for the elderly to save cash; charging for transport at day centres; providing light lunches rather than hot meals; and removing subsidies on pensioners' frozen meals.
Extra charges could include billing communities for Christmas lighting; charging for council car parks, pest control and bulky uplifts from homes.
There would be also reductions in the winter maintenance budget which covers road gritting; grass cutting and street sweeping; environmental wardens; gala day works; and opening hours at civic amenity sites.
Cuts are also expected in subsidies for bus routes and rural travel; investment in projects to reduce youth anti-social behaviour; and financial support for the voluntary sector.
"The future is extremely challenging and unprecedented," said council leader Johnston. "But we are determined to ensure our council continues to deliver effective, efficient and first class services that meet the needs of our community.
"These choices are unpopular and affect a lot of decisions we are very proud of. If it was up to me I would draw a red line straight through them but, unfortunately, they are necessary on the back of this recession.
"The good news is that West Lothian Council has always had a culture which has faced issues proactively and delivered innovative solutions.
"The council has to plan to manage other financial pressures such as an increased demand for social work services, investment in carbon targets and increased waste treatment, recycling and landfill costs.
"The council's budget will also have to manage increased demand for services for older and younger people."
Jobs across the board are at risk and an immediate recruitment freeze is now in place.
The administration hopes to avoid compulsory redundancies, but this has not been ruled out.
A quarter of the council's higher management structure could lose their jobs and further cost-cutting measures may have to be considered if compulsory redundancies are needed.
Council chief executive Alex Linkston said: "Every effort will be made to minimise the need for redundancies.
"However, the potential staffing numbers involved could mean that compulsory redundancy is necessary.
"Therefore, the council will develop a compulsory redundancy scheme in consultation with the trade unions.
"While these efficiencies will make a significant saving it will not be enough. To reach the proposed target of saving 45m it will be necessary to reduce our staffing levels.
"By 2014 this could be equivalent to 1,000 full-time staff.
"There will be a recruitment freeze which means that many of the people who leave will not be replaced, all temporary and fixed contracts will be reviewed and we will help staff who ask to reduce or change their working arrangements."
The biggest savings of 25.3m are to come through efficiencies, which makes up 56 per cent of the 45m. This is not expected to have a significant impact on services.
This includes mobile and flexible working by council staff, reducing the number of buildings the council uses from 43 to 17, using shared services with other councils and increased partnership working with other public service agencies.
Changes to services could save 10.9m, while charges and subsidy reductions would generate an extra 8.8m.
The proposals will be decided on in December by all 32 councillors following the consultation process.
To comment on the proposals and contribute ideas for service provision through the public consultation visit www.westlothian.gov.uk; e-mail change@westlothian.gov.uk; or write to Change Comments, West Lothian Council, West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden Road South, Livingston EH54 6FF.
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Monday 21 May 2012
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