Council to cut back on childrens' services
Katy Morton
Monday, September 10, 2012
Children's services in Bolton are to bear the brunt of council cuts following the announcement that the local authority has to make savings of 35.6m over the next two years.
The council runs 18 children centres and four nursery schools.
Because of a reduction in Government grants, Bolton Council has to make total savings of £35.6m, of which £5.5m will be made to children’s services.
A spokesperson was unable to confirm whether cuts to children’s services would put early years settings at risk.
As part of the cost-cutting exercise, between 400 and 500 jobs will be lost, adding to the 833 posts already cut in the previous two years.
Bolton Council said that it aimed to avoid compulsory redundancies through a further voluntary severance and voluntary early retirement scheme, and by offering a comprehensive redeployment period for affected staff.
The council is currently consulting with staff, stakeholders, partners and members of the public on their proposals for making these savings.
Councillor Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, said, ‘These savings will have a big impact in terms of the services the council is able to provide for local residents. Although there will be reductions in services, the council has worked hard to protect the most vulnerable and to target resources on areas and individuals with the greatest need. We have also prioritised savings that can be made without immediately affecting service quality.
‘We will be also mitigating the impact of these reductions on staff wherever possible by allowing employees to take early retirement or voluntary severance, and offering a comprehensive redeployment period for those who face redundancy.’
