Council identifies 243 job cuts

Nearly 250 jobs at Stoke-on-Trent City Council could have to be cut to fill predicted budget shortfall of between £5m and £12m.

Council directors said such a move could save £578,000 this year and £5.4m in the financial year of 2010/2011.

The 243 jobs at risk are in children and young people's services, finance, administration, housing, planning, and adult social care and health.

The cabinet is due to decide on 11 November whether to support the plan.

The council previously asked staff if they would be interested in voluntary redundancy and received 527 expressions of interest.

'Front-line protection'

Councillor Kieran Clarke, cabinet member for resources, said that did not mean all those who had expressed an interest in voluntary redundancy would be offered it.

"Of course there are jobs that we must carry on doing, and that is why we will have to say that some people cannot be made redundant.

"We will make sure that the front-line services that local people depend on will be protected."

Potential voluntary redundancies have been identified in the following council service areas:

• Adult Social Care and Health Directorate, 64 posts

• Chief Executives' Directorates, six posts

• Central Services, such as finance, benefits and revenues, 56 posts

• Children and Young People's Services, 36 posts

• Housing, Environment and Neighbourhood Services, 56 posts

• Regeneration, such as development and planning services, 25 posts