Political row over county job losses
POLITICAL leaders have been criticised for their handling of job cuts at Gloucestershire County Council.
A motion was put forward by opposition Labour members condemning the timing of the announcement of the job losses.
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Shire Hall
The authority is set to shed 200 jobs in the next two years and told staff in an email on June 12 – just eight days after the authority held an election.
Coun Steve McHale (L, Robinswood) told the full council: "This was not done in the best way. It was done just a week after the elections, and in the same week as C&G announced they were cutting jobs as well.
"It is done at a time you can also see the county council advertising for many jobs.
"This council will be seen as a dress rehearsal for a Conservative government, and it is a story of cuts, cuts, cuts."
Coun Jeremy Hilton (LD, Westgate), agreed, saying: "I think the way the announcement was made after the election was too quick. We have no idea where these jobs are going to go.
"We need to look at whether the cuts are a fair restructuring, or if they are going to axe jobs which are necessary for running the council for the people of Gloucestershire."
Coun Mike Collins (LD, Brockworth), said the council had not started well.
"You have already demonstrated that you cannot be trusted. It has not taken you long to let the people of Gloucestershire down," he said.
Coun Ray Theoloudou (C, East Cotswold) introduced an amendment welcoming the work the authority had undertaken to make efficiency savings, and reaffirming the council's commitment to low council tax.
Coun Theodoulou said: "We must face the reality that Government finances are in deep trouble, and we cannot rely on that money.
"We must look at the other resources we have. The main one is the taxpayer and we know we cannot ask them to make up the shortfall"
Coun Mark Hawthorne (C, Moreland), said: "Where Coun McHale says cuts, cuts, cuts, I want to say back reality, reality, reality. Public finances are in meltdown, we are seeing huge amounts of public debt.
"We have a duty of care to take these tough decisions.
"We have a £60 million shortfall, and at the same time we need to continue to provide our services."
Coun McHale withdrew his motion at the end of the debate, rather than allow the amendment to be adopted by the authority.
4 Comments
by Shaun Shute, Gloucester
Friday, June 26 2009, 8:21PM
“This is what you get if you dont vote. You get a tory world of cuts, cuts and more cuts. Will they let us know which schools then intend to close and which streets will not have police patrols?”
by James M, Gloucester
Friday, June 26 2009, 10:17AM
“Perhaps if the Chief Exec`s office gave back some of their six figure salaries then more jobs could be saved. How can they justify cutting staff on 12k when individuals on £60k plus can sit back and look forward to their summer holidays in barbados!”
by Mal, Local
Friday, June 26 2009, 9:04AM
“Pot, Kettle, Black !”
by Cedric Glos, Gloucestershire
Friday, June 26 2009, 8:52AM
“When the Tories lost control in 1985, they left an under invested and under resourced mess with cut after cut for 98 years in order to boast about some of the lowest local rates in the country. They are at it again. In a few years if the County survives, someone will have to resue us again, especially if Labour betrays us again and we finish up next year with a Tory government..”