Halton Council cuts £15m off budget and axes 80 jobs (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

"We will fight hard for every single job," vows union leader

3:10pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News By Barbara Jordan

CRIPPLING Government cuts have forced Halton Council to slash its 2012 budget by £15 million and axe 80 jobs.

An efficiency programme and securing better procurement deals have identified savings in every department.

Street lights will be switched off at night and pothole repairs scaled back.

The 24/7 contact centre will only operate from 8pm to 6am.

Charges are going up from waste and school meals to the hire of rooms and allotments, as a new policy strives to recoup the costs for providing services.

The increases have not yet been finalised.

Council leader, Clr Rob Polhill said: “We are leaving no stone unturned to try and get efficiencies.

“As we spotted savings we implemented them straight away.

“We have been heart searching. It is a real struggle. None of the councillors like doing this but because of these severe Government cuts that have been imposed, there is no alternative.”

He expects only a handful of employee will face compulsory redundancy.

Clr Polhill said: “We froze vacancies to free up space for people whose jobs are at risk to keep them within employment.

“That seems to be working.

“We also offered training so staff can change jobs.

“Every step of the way we have worked with the unions.

“We are trying to aim for no compulsory losses but it may be a handful.”

Paula Barker, secretary of Halton Council’s Unison branch, said: “We understand the financial pressures the authority is facing imposed from the coalition Government but we will fight hard for every single job.

“Eighty jobs have been muted. There is a very real danger of that but we will continue to look for ways to reduce that number.

“One compulsory redundancy is too many.”

Increasing charges will create £369,999 extra income.

Clr Polhill said: “We do this with a heavy heart. Unfortunately, we have to increase charges to keep vital services going.”

Clr Mike Wharton, board member responsible for finance, said: “It has been hard but in the next two years we have to find £25m. That will be a nightmare.”

The draft budget of £106, 305m will be discussed by the executive board on Thursday.