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

Ugobus Driver - Chelmsford

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

Transport Coordinator

Essex County Council
£37614.0000 - £44251.0000 per annum
Transport CoordinatorPermanent, Full Time£37,614 to £44,251 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Team Administrator

Gloucestershire County Council
£25,185 - £25 989
Are you looking to join a friendly and supportive administration team at Gloucestershire County Council? Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Recuriter: Gloucestershire County Council

Administration Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 5 £26,403 - £28,598 (Pay award pending)
Are you an organised and proactive administrator who is passionate about supporting learners to achieve their potential? Join DurhamLearn and become Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Highways Trainer (2 Posts)

Derbyshire County Council
£35,422 - £38,730
Are you passionate about developing people and ensuring compliance across a complex operational service? Derbyshire
Recuriter: Derbyshire County Council
Linkedin Banner