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

Managing Director

Cheshire West Recycling
Circa £115,000 (subject to negotiation) plus benefits
Cheshire West Recycling is a wholly owned company of Cheshire West and Chester Council, operating with a clear social and environmental purpose. Chester, Cheshire
Recuriter: Cheshire West Recycling

Head of Adoption Fostering Kinship

Essex County Council
Up to £0.0000 per annum
Head of Adoption Fostering KinshipPermanent, Full Time£73,883 to £86,921 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Repairs & Maintenance Officer

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E, SCP 18 - 25 (£31,537 - £36,363) per annum
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council’s Urban Design & Building Services team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Tenant Engagement Officer

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band F, SCP 26-31 (£37,280- £41,771 per annum)
Sandwell Council has established and continues to develop tenant engagement and the opportunities to shape Housing Services Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

General Assistant - Meals on Wheels

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band A, SCP 2 (£24,413) per annum, Pro Rata
Responsible for assisting in the preparation and serving of quality meals in hygienic conditions. Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner