Birmingham City Council has moved to alleviate trade union concerns of savage job cuts as it approved its annual budget.
Scores of staff braved wintry conditions outside Birmingham Town Hall to protest against swingeing cuts expected as the authority. The council is battling to balance the books before the funding squeeze hits home.
The council’s financial plan revealed savings of up to £69m are needed by April 2011. As a result, up to 2,000 posts will go before the end of the financial year.
The protesters were calling on the council to refrain from making compulsory redundancies.
Council leader, Mike Whitby, said he was looking at a range of measures to ensure any compulsory redundancies are kept to a minimum.
‘We remain true to our principles and despite the difficulties intend to operate within the strict fiscal discipline we have established, set challenging targets to improve the quality of life in our city and continue our journey towards excellence.
‘We strive to seek a balance between low taxation, service provision and competency.’
