£43 million budget deficit to prompt 153 job losses

Doncaster Council has confirmed that it will be forced to make an additional 153 job reductions as it attempts to balance the books against reduced central government funding.

The council has warned that ‘savage’ government cuts mean that the authority has to meet a further budget gap of £43 million, on top of the £224 million of ongoing savings that it has already made. The council has said that it will continue to focus on being ‘innovative’ and ‘making the best use of modern technology, reshaping services and generating more income’.

The budget proposals could potentially see 153 full time equivalent post reductions made over the next three years, beginning with vacant posts and volunteers, then redeployment with compulsory redundancy being the last resort.

Mayor Ros Jones said: “We have had to make some very difficult decisions but I firmly believe these draft budget proposals focus on the key priorities for Doncaster. I have always said the council must live within its means but do the very best it can for its local people, communities and businesses and this is reflected in these plans. The pain of the government cuts has not gone away nor will it. We must continue to change the way we work in order to protect local services, as we have at least three more testing years of challenges ahead. However, I believe my proposals will get us through to the end of a difficult time and still support Doncaster and its future.”