Wirral Council announces 483 staff are free to leave as part of its redundancy programme

Dec 8 2010 by Matt Hurst, Heswall News

AROUND one in four senior managers will leave Wirral Council before the end of the year, as redundancies and early retirements are rubber stamped.

Last week, the authority wrote to the 1,594 employees who had asked to leave their jobs to tell them whether their request proved successful, or if it was still being considered.

Of that number, 483 have already been told they are free to go, either on early retirement terms or as part of a severance package.

Of the remaining number, 702 employees have been told their request is still under consideration, and will be reviewed in the context of the recent public consultation on the future of council services.

The outcome of this consultation, and the recommendations of the Task Forces engaged, will be considered at cabinet tomorrow.

The mass redundancy programme was initiated by council chiefs as they seek to balance the books, at the same time as trying to ensure frontline services remain effective.

Council leader, Cllr Jeff Green said: “Later this month, we will be responding to what people have told us during the consultation and I am determined that we continue to deliver vital, front line services.

“For this reason, and the fact that cabinet decisions relating to the consultation will have a direct influence on the future shape of services, some applications are still under consideration.

“We will let employees know the outcome of their requests as soon as possible.”

But Wirral UNISON branch secretary, Joe Taylor said the process is being “badly handled”.

He said: “People are having to wait for political decisions and a public consultation which is an absolute sham.

“It’s going to tell them what the future holds for them and I don’t believe there will be a firm decision out of cabinet.”

Among those whose futures have been settled are 32 members of senior staff.

Cllr Green says that early decision should shave £8million from council costs over the next five years.