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

Property Management Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £47,229 per annum
Job Title
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Social Worker

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£38,976 - £52,767
Social Worker£38,... London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Registered Manager - Children's Home - WMF2945e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£51,356 - £52,413 (plus an additional market factor supplement of £7,842)
Are you looking for a role that offers more than just career progression? Dalton-In-Furness, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

AYSE Social Worker - WMF2956e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£34,434 - £35,512
Would you like to work in a positive, close-knit and supportive environment Barrow in Furness, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Project Lead Capital Programme - WMF2951e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£47,181- £48,226
The Property Portfolio plays an important role in delivering capital projects Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council
Linkedin Banner