North Lanarkshire Council could axe more than 1,000 full-time jobs in a bid to find savings of £45m in the next three years.

A report to be considered by the Policy and Resources Committee next week details the savings the council needs to find for 2016/17 and 2017/18, and outlines the options to be the subject of the consultation.

If all the options were implemented a reduction of 1,095 full-time posts would be required from a total workforce of 12,043 full-time posts.

According to the report, the council could have a budget gap of more than £68m for the two years. More than £22m of savings have already been identified and a consultation will take place in November to identify the remaining £45m worth of cuts.

Cllr Jim McCabe, the council leader, said: ‘Many of the options to save this kind of money are extremely unpalatable and will have real consequences for the vital services we provide to the people of North Lanarkshire. They will also have a real impact on our employees, who work so hard to provide those services.’

‘That’s why it’s essential we consult on the options we have,’ he continued. ‘It’s important to stress that these are options for consultation and not decisions. Those will be made once we have analysed all the feedback from residents, employees and trade unions.’

Paul Grieve, GMB Scotland organiser, said: ‘This announcement by North Lanarkshire Council to make 1,905 full time posts redundant is a real body blow to the area. It comes hot on the heels of the announcement by TATA to make 300 workers redundant in the steel Industry.

'The council are using a full time equivalent figure to mask the actual job losses which will be nearer 2,000 jobs lost in the council.’