Fears over East Sussex County Council job cuts

CUTTING a possible 250 jobs at East Sussex County Council over the next three years could be ‘just the tip of the iceberg’, a national union has warned.
County Hall Lewes, East Sussex County Council HQ SUS-150925-134850001 SUS-150925-134850001County Hall Lewes, East Sussex County Council HQ SUS-150925-134850001 SUS-150925-134850001
County Hall Lewes, East Sussex County Council HQ SUS-150925-134850001 SUS-150925-134850001

GMB, a union for council workers, has warned further expected cuts to the local government budget will add to the pressures already facing councils across the country.

East Sussex could cut around 50 county council jobs in the next financial year, with an estimated 250 set to go over three years, to meet savings of up to £90m.

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GMB national officer Justin Bowden said the job losses were among 11,766 others under threat across the country.

He said: “These 11,766 job cuts are just the tip of the iceberg of the cuts yet to be revealed as councils fix budgets for 2016/17.

“They are in advance of the announcement that four government departments – treasury, transport, local government and environment – have agreed to cut their spending by an average of another 30 per cent over the next four years.

“The full extent of the cuts will be revealed in the Spending Review on November 25. Spending in some parts of the public sector like local councils will be half that in 2010.

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“These same councils have to cope with increased pressures from the care sector and other upward cost pressures.”

Deputy leader and lead member for resources David Elkin, said in September the council’s ambition was to deliver the same service with less resources.

He hinted this could be done either through technology or through working in partnership with other organisations.

He added: “However, the continued funding squeeze, at a time when our ageing population places more demand than ever on our services, means more tough choices have to be made.

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“The reality is we will have to look closely at everything we do and change the way some services are delivered, while some will have to be reduced or even stopped altogether.”

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