Staffing cuts approved by council

There will be a 90-day consultation period over the care home job cuts

Hundreds of jobs are to go after "radical" plans were approved to reduce Devon County Council's running costs.

The proposals include axing 130 care home jobs and reducing the council's overall workforce by a further 500 staff over the next two years.

The measures should help to cut council spending by an estimated £20m.

Despite the cuts, cabinet members also agreed to invest £50,000 in Plymouth Argyle's bid to be a football World Cup host city in 2018.

Council leader John Hart said it was a "sensible business proposition" for the whole of the South West.

Recruitment freeze

"The bid is being closely linked to tourism, which is one of our lifeblood industries in the South West, and so can only serve to enhance our unique brand," he said.

The council, which currently employs about 16,000 people, said about half the care home job losses will be at managerial level and frontline care will not be affected.

There will be a two-year recruitment freeze on all jobs except in "critical" areas such as teaching and social work.

Talks have already begun with trade unions and there will now be a formal 90-day consultation period.