Councils' job cuts plans revealed

Two councils in Worcestershire have announced job loss plans.

Worcestershire County Council said it had proposals for 55 jobs to go. The jobs would go through natural wastage, not compulsory redundancies, it said.

Wyre Forest District Council said it was inviting workers to apply for voluntary redundancies but might not be able to rule out compulsory job losses.

The county council also said it was consulting on a potential council tax rise of 3.5% in the new financial year.

'Redouble' efforts

The council said it was in the second year of its three-year financial plan to save £25m a year, which was announced in October 2006.

It said it would discuss budget proposals with representatives from the business community, the voluntary sector, parish councils and staff unions over the coming weeks before cabinet makes a final proposal in early February.

Full council will then make a decision on 19 February.

The county council said it had "regularly featured" in the bottom five funded shire authorities over the last 10 years, but had top marks from the Audit Commission for Use of Resources and Value for Money.

Wyre Forest District Council said the economic downturn meant it had to "redouble" efforts to become more efficient.

The budget proposals will be announced on 22 January at a cabinet meeting.

At its meeting on 25 February full council will decide the final budget.