Jobs warning over £30m shortfall

Council officials say the cuts are unavoidable

Recession-hit Bristol City Council is to meet a projected £30m shortfall with cuts and possible job losses.

The axe will fall over the next three years, and officials say compulsory redundancies cannot be ruled out.

An ageing population, more residents on benefits, reduced construction planning fees and lower revenues because of the recession have all been blamed.

The council has an annual budget of £365m and is the city's biggest employer, with over 16,000 staff.

It is not the first council to announce a need for huge savings, with a job loss warning attached.

Last month Gloucestershire County Council announced more than 200 staff would lose their jobs, to fill its £60m funding gap.

We are prepared to face up to the challenge Council leader Barbara Janke

The BBC's political correspondent in the West, Paul Barltrop, said the cuts were likely to impact most heavily on office staff.

He said: "The city council had already embarked on a restructuring programme which was due to save £7m a year.

"Now they've realised that's got to be broadened - and speeded up.

"Senior officers are now looking hard at its back office staff, spurred on by a report which suggested it was less efficient than other, comparable councils."

A panel of experts from business, universities and public bodies is to be put together to decide where cuts might be made.

Liberal Democrat council leader Barbara Janke said: "We realise that we face tough decisions ahead.

"But we want to do this in a responsible way which is best for the future of the city.

"We are prepared to face up to the challenge."