Published: Thursday, 17th June, 2010 7:05am

Up to 3000 council workers face axe by 2014

by Matt Meade

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IN just four years' time thousands of council jobs will be lost in plans to make £120 million savings.

That's the gloomy prediction for workers as councillors agreed dramatic cost-cutting plans last week.

At the policy, finance and asset management committee in Glenrothes they spent hours picking over the minutiae of savings options outlined in a 105-page report.

But the outcome was inevitable: an expected 2000 to 3000 job losses by 2014.

Around 4000 workers will also see "radical changes" to the way they work in an effort to save £6.8m over five years.

Employee options include voluntary redundancy, early retirement and working more flexibly. This includes working at home, or becoming "mobile" workers.

Council leader Peter Grant pledged support for workers who will adopt new working practices and said, "We have already done a lot of work to meet ongoing efficiency targets and this is all about thinking ahead.

"We know the shortfall is going to be huge so we have to prepare if we're still able to provide crucial community services especially for those most vulnerable and with the greatest needs.

"Today we renewed our commitment to the people of Fife and our employees.

"Like every other local authority in the UK, Fife Council is changing but we'll be doing all we can to do that with you and deliver better with less."

He also said media reports suggesting 1800 people will be axed by March 2011 were exaggerated as that figure was similar to staff turnover in an average year.

The mood was muted in the chambers as councillors mulled over the impact which the "efficiency savings" and "productivity gains" balancing act would have for employees and the public.

Councillor Mark Hood said a potential 15 per cent reduction in council staff must not be allowed to impact "on services for the people of Fife."

There was also a call from several councillors to ensure fairness in access to voluntary redundancy packages between low and high paid staff.

Some confusion arose regarding plans to reduce the number of buildings the council owns, where an estimated £12.6m could be made through property sales.

Of the 97 office buildings owned, 60 have been identified as surplus to requirements.

Labour councillor Kay Morrison expressed concern that the buildings would be sold to companies who "don't give a monkey's" about them, leading to a potential neglect worthy of a "Carbuncle Award".

Her colleague, Councillor Alex Rowley, was dogged in his calls for reassurance that agreeing to property rationalisation recommendations would not mean they would be deciding there and then on closing certain offices, including the office in his own constituency of Kelty.

Mr Grant said approving the report's recommendations did not mean "explicit decisions on any buildings" had been made.

He also reminded the chamber to listen to the public before deciding on cuts and said, "We should engage with the public more and make clear that it's their public services so we can hear what they have to say."

Mr Grant explained after the meeting, "We have to invest in the properties that we keep and it's important that we make sure our customers can still contact us easily and quickly online, by phone or face to face in locations across Fife.

"But if we aim to reduce the number of buildings we own by 38 per cent over the next few years and change the way customers access services, the benefit will outweigh any costs."

He finished, "These difficult times call for difficult decisions and change has to happen if we are to continue to deliver top services that make life better for everyone."

The Campaign Against Charges and Cuts (CACC) staged a protest ahead of the meeting and spokesperson Maureen Closs said, "CACC are disgusted with the vigour with which this council is embracing job losses and the resultant loss of services to vulnerable people.

"Even before the shopping delivery, drivers have been officially told of their future, the council has been re-assessing people and terminating their service.

"It wasn't disabled people who caused this economic crisis - it was greedy rich bankers - so why should it be us who pay the price?"