Council to shed 120 jobs

THE axe is set to fall on 120 jobs at Warrington Borough Council in plans to save £21.4m and increase council tax by 3.98%.

The authority is lining up cuts to disability support, bus subsidies and funding for school lollipop patrols in addition to the closure of a children’s centre.

A report submitted to the council says it will work with trade unions to try to avoid compulsory redundancies.

So far 80 employees have chosen the voluntary redundancy option.

Up to £92m has been cut from Warrington Council’s budgets since 2010.

Cllr Russ Bowden, responsible for finance, said: “Our social care costs are increasing significantly and we need to act now. An additional two per cent precept won’t solve everything but it will certainly help.”

A period of consultation period on the proposals has been launched. The final decision will be taken in March.