William Eichler 22 August 2016

Bristol offers voluntary severance option to save millions

Bristol City Council is offering its staff the option of taking voluntary redundancy in a bid to save £29m.

The authority hopes to reduce its number of full-time roles by approximately 1,000 to contribute towards closing its remaining budget gap.

The city’s Labour mayor Marvin Rees warned last June—shortly after his inauguration—the council would have to make substantial savings due to Government cuts and the growing demand on services.

Bristol must find £44m in savings by next year in order to address a £60m budget gap, he said.

‘I have inherited a huge financial challenge which is proving bigger than we knew even a month or two ago,’ he said today.

‘We continue to make savings in many ways, but we cannot close the gap without reducing the number of jobs at the council.

‘This scheme is about giving people the option to leave voluntarily, which is the right thing to do. We will support staff as best we can throughout this difficult time.’

Responding to the announcement, Unison branch secretary Steve Crawshaw said: ‘This dire financial situation is not the fault of public service workers who’ve had a tough deal for years now.

‘It is a result of a funding deal from the Government that has left cities to pick up the pieces from ministers’ lack of a sensible plan.’

‘Further cuts will hit the most vulnerable in the city, worsening the homelessness crisis, and further entrenching inequality. The Mayor needs to confront Theresa May and say ‘enough is enough’,’ he added.

Speaking to The MJ last week, Mayor Rees said being mayor was not about running the council but was instead about ‘capturing the collective impact of people'.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner