Thomas Bridge 05 August 2015

County to cut 2,500 jobs amid £685m savings drive

A county is to cut 2,500 jobs over the next three years as it looks to save £685m over a nine-year campaign of savings.

Lancashire County Council has been told it will need to find an additional £233m of cutbacks by April 2020 to cover funding reductions from central government and growing demand for services.

While a reduction of 1,400 job posts was already planned at the town hall, new financial pressures mean it is now expected the loss of a further 1,100 jobs will be necessary by April 2018.

The latest financial plan delivered to cabinet means the local authority will have had to deliver savings of £685m between 2011 and 2020.

Lancashire will consult on proposals this winter before delivering final savings decisions in February 2016.

It expects the bulk of job reductions will be made on a voluntary basis and employees are being invited to apply for voluntary redundancy.

Cllr Jennifer Mein, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: 'These are the most challenging times for local government in living memory as we face the combination of severe central government cuts and rising demand for our services, particularly those serving vulnerable people.

'The scale of the challenge means that we are having to make ever more difficult decisions. We will do all that we can, but there is no doubt that the services we provide to our communities will have to be reduced in this period and people will notice the difference. Our priority will remain to protect the most vulnerable people in communities across Lancashire.

'Regrettably I'm also no longer confident we can reduce our workforce as much as we need to on a purely voluntary basis.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Engineer

Bristol City Council
£40,221 - £51,515
As part of a friendly and enthusiastic team, you will play an important role in designing innovative urban transport and public realm projects 100 Temple Street Redcliff Bristol BS1 6AN
Recuriter: Bristol City Council

Intelligence Manager - Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Essex County Council
Up to £69262 per annum
Intelligence Manager - Quantitative and Qualitative ResearchFixed Term, Full Timeup to £69,262 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Research Strategy and Governance Manager

Essex County Council
Up to £70364 per annum
Research Strategy and Governance ManagerFixed Term, Full Timeup to £70,364 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Levelling Up External Communications Adviser

Essex County Council
£38977 - £41624 per annum
Levelling Up External Communications Adviser12 Month Fixed Term, Full Time/Part TimeUp to £41,624 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Light Vehicle Mechanic

Derbyshire County Council
£27,507 - £29,418
We are looking for a highly motivated Light Vehicle Mechanic to join our County Transport team County Transport – Ambergate Workshops
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.