Council set to axe 200 jobs as part of savings drive

Around 200 jobs are set to be lost at Worcestershire County Council as the authority looks to make millions of pounds worth of savings.

Staff at the council have been asked if they want to take voluntary redundancy.

An email sent out by chief executive Paul Robinson told the authority’s 2,800 staff they have until November to take up the offer, BBC News reported.

A council spokesman said the scheme will help it “address a projected in-year overspend of £5 million”.

The council needs to save £18m by March.

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “The scheme will operate on the basis of staff having an opportunity to apply for voluntary redundancy. The deadline for applications is the 12th November 2018. Where approved employees who apply for voluntary redundancy will leave the Council before 31st March 2019.

“A number of roles are exempt including children’s social workers. It is expected that up to 200 full time equivalent staff will leave the council as part of the scheme, which we have discussed with our recognised trade unions.”