Cheshire County Council – facing a £50M shortfall and big population changes – is planning ‘the most radical shake-up of local government ever attempted by an English local authority’.
But unions fear that its plans for a ‘leaner and fitter’ organisation will mean service cuts and possible redundancies.
Service action plans are likely to see staff reductions sought over the next four-and-a-half years, which the council hopes can be achieved through natural wastage. It also plans a smaller corporate headquarters, joint service centres – possibly with other service providers – and contact hubs.
‘Demands for our services are rapidly increasing, and escalating costs are overtaking available resources at an alarming rate,’ said leader, Paul Findlow.
‘Every part of our organisation will go under the microscope to see whether we can change the way we work, to increase efficiency, release resources and improve services to the public.’
The council expects to have up to 50,000 additional pensioners living within its borders by 2020, but fewer children going to its schools – making the cost per head higher.
Pressure for change is strongest in education and child and adult social services, although all parts of the council, including environmental services, will be affected.
‘The council keeps talking about it and we have meetings, but all we’re told is that it is going to cut back services or change our terms and conditions,’ said Unison regional officer for Cheshire, Keith Bradley.