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400 jobs may go in council’s budget cuts
THE Council has announced a £15 million budget cut, sparking fears that frontline services could suffer and job losses could climb to 400.
Services including mental health care and education together with street sweeping, refuse collection and community protection will all be victims of what the council is calling “efficiency savings”.
The announcement from Chief Executive of Westminster Council, Mike More, comes months after the £17 million loss of council money in the Icelandic banking crash.
The proposed cuts include:
• £485,000 from street sweeping and refuse collection;
• £108,000 from Mental Health services;
• £50,000 from the Pupil Referral Unit;
• £80,000 from anti-graffiti and flyposting clean up.
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour Group said: “How can the Conservatives possibly justify cutting street sweeping services when the £3.2 million press office budget remains at the same high level as before?”
The council has defended its decision.
Cabinet member for finance Melvyn Caplan said: “We have an excellent track record of delivering more for less and due to prudent financial management frontline services in Westminster remaining strong and well resourced.
“We expect to lose around 300 posts – some of which will go through natural wastage, although this figure may rise to 400 depending on the state of the economy.” |
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