Labor 'furious' over West Northants Council's redundancy dragnet

West Northamptonshire Council employees are being asked to consider voluntary redundancy

Getty Images A hand holding a P45 form, for employees leaving work. — West Northamptonshire Council employees are being asked to consider voluntary redundancy

A council opposition group said it was “furious” that the authority had asked staff to consider reducing their working hours, retiring or being made redundant to save money.

West Northamptonshire Council’s Labor group described the move as “a shocking development in the council’s ongoing financial disaster”.

The union Unison said staff are “afraid of what the future holds for them and the essential services they provide”.

The council said no decision on savings would be made without careful consideration of the impact on services and the community.

West Northamptonshire Council, based at One Angel Square in Northampton, said it needed to balance its books

White letters saying "An Angel's Square" in glass windows above a brown-framed revolving door to a public building. — West Northamptonshire Council, based at One Angel Square in Northampton, said it needed to balance its books

The unitary authority covering the former council areas of Northampton Borough, Daventry and South Northamptonshire, guest team on Tuesday consider leaving the board or reducing your hours.

He said the move was part of “ongoing efforts to achieve a balanced budget” as the council faced a predicted deficit of £72m by 2026.

Wendy Randall, leader of the council’s Labor group, said the authority was responsible for mismanagement of public money

Wendy Randall with medium length brown hair, wearing glasses and smiling at the camera. She is wearing a blue and white woolen shawl and a white sweater, in front of the council offices. — Wendy Randall, leader of the council’s Labor group, said the authority was responsible for mismanagement of public money

Wendy Randall, leader of the council’s Labor group, said: “The Labor group and I are furious that we have had to ask staff to consider reducing their working hours or taking money from their pensions through flexible superannuation after three years of administration. seeing public money drain.

“This all comes down to the Conservatives’ mismanagement of public money over the last three and a half years and their management of our corporate affairs. It is simply not fair for them to put this pressure on council staff now. and risk further damage to our services.”

She added that the board had seen “an embarrassing staff turnover rate since 2021” and that there were 27 assistant directors earning more than £90,000, but not enough people to answer the phones.

Paul Meadows, secretary of Unison’s West Northamptonshire branch, said: “West Northamptonshire Council is in a dire financial position. The council’s commitment to exploring options other than compulsory redundancies is welcome.

“But this is of comfort to employees who fear what the future holds for them and the essential services they provide for the safety, well-being and prosperity of the local community.”

The council was asked to respond.