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Council redundancies 'start within weeks'
STAFF in some departments of Sheffield Council could be offered voluntary redundancy by the end of the month, as the authority makes a start on finding £220 million of cutbacks.
Chief executive John Mothersole sent a letter to senior managers briefing them on what he said would be "a difficult and unsettling time".
He wrote: "We are currently looking at the potential for a voluntary redundancy/early retirement scheme to offer to individuals in areas where staffing reductions are required.
"In some services these changes will need to happen earlier than in others due to specific budgetary pressures.
"If agreed, the scheme would therefore be rolled out on a phased basis, as appropriate - with some individuals potentially offered this option as early as next month."
He admitted the plan wasn't "the perfect solution" and said voluntary redundancies could not be offered to all.
Even with the scheme in place he "could not rule out the need for some compulsory redundancies in the future".
The council has to cut spending by 30 per cent by 2015 - roughly 220 million.
Mr Mothersole said "the scale of the funding reductions" meant bosses would have to consider how to reduce "people-related costs".
He said bosses would try to minimise compulsory redundancies by reviewing "fundamental areas" such as increments and sickness pay and considering flexible working options such as career breaks or reduced working hours.
He added: "We know that the funding reductions we face, and the type of organisation we will need to be in the future, will lead to fundamental changes in the way services are provided to the people of Sheffield.
"Realistically, this means fewer staff will be required in some areas, as services are restructured, reshaped or potentially even stopped - if they are no longer provided by the council but by other organisations."
A series of council managers' event are planned this month to discuss the 'future shape' of the authority and bosses are regularly meeting with trade union representatives.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
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