Mark Whitehead 18 November 2015

Portsmouth warns of 100 job cuts

Residents of Portsmouth have backed a rise in council tax to help protect services as part proposals which will also see 100 job cuts at the council.

The city council says its proposed budget aims to safeguard as many services as possible despite tough financial challenges.

About 2,500 residents, council staff and businesses responded to a survey asking which services should be protected.

More than 80% backed a council tax increase currently set at 2% and due to be finally decided in February.

The proposed budget includes £11m of savings in the next financial year.

The council says it has already made £75m of savings over the last five years and needs to find a further £31m in the three years from 2016/17 out of £125m of the spend it controls.

In the survey a majority of respondents backed cuts including funding for community centres, sexual health services and bus companies.

Council leader Donna Jones said meals on wheels services, heating subsidies for older people and city centre road cleaning would be protected.

'No one wants to make cuts to services but in today's very tough financial climate, we're faced with extremely difficult decisions,' she said.

'I've looked at every response and, wherever possible, we've tried to make proposals in line with the feedback from local people.'

The council estimates 100 jobs will be cut, a third of which are already vacant.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Catering Lead - Essex Outdoors Danbury

Essex County Council
£25959.0000 - £28621.0000 per annum
Catering Lead - Essex Outdoors DanburyPermanent, Full Time£25,959 to £28,621 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Shovel Driver Plant Operative - Braintree

Essex County Council
£25959.0000 - £29015.0000 per annum
Shovel Driver Plant Operative - Braintree Waste Transfer StationPermanent, Full Time£25,959 to £29,015 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Built Heritage Consultant

Essex County Council
£27894.0000 - £32816.0000 per annum
Assistant Built Heritage ConsultantPermanent, Full Time£27,894 to £32,816 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Ugobus Driver - Harlow

Essex County Council
Up to £25959.0000 per annum
Ugobus Driver - HarlowPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,959 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

SEND Customer and Compliance Manager

Cheshire East Council
£43,149 - £49,658 per annum
Are you passionate about improving services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)? Macclesfield, Cheshire
Recuriter: Cheshire East Council
Linkedin Banner