Renfrewshire Council could cut 700 jobs

The council warned it faced "difficult choices" in the years ahead

Another Scottish council has warned of hundreds of job losses and said "difficult choices" lie ahead.

Renfrewshire Council said it could cut up to 700 jobs by next March as it struggles to plug a funding gap.

In a report due to be considered later this week, the local authority said it may need to save as much as £90m over the next three years.

It stressed it would try to ensure the losses were achieved through voluntary redundancy and early retirement.

Renfrewshire Council, which is run by an SNP-Lib Dem coalition, shed 300 jobs last year.

As part of its efforts to making savings it will also review the charges it makes for services, and will consider if some services could be delivered by either the private or independent sector.

Council chiefs will also look at offering workers the possibility of working fewer hours than the traditional 35-hour working week.

Council leader Derek Mackay said: "We are setting out in detail some of the ways in which the council is looking at reducing costs and making changes so we can focus the reduced resources we will have on essential services.

"Even in these difficult times we are maintaining our commitment to delivering a multi-million pound investment in community and sports facilities, schools and council housing.

"However, all of us in public service have to recognise that we face radical changes - not just in the way we finance services, but on how those services are delivered and by whom."

He added: "Like other councils and public organisations in Scotland, we won't know exactly how much money we will have to spend until the end of the year.

"It's essential that we start to explore all available options at this stage so we are in the best position to meet the difficult choices ahead."

The report on the council's financial outlook and workforce planning will be considered at a meeting on Thursday.

Last week a survey by BBC Scotland revealed that 10 Scottish councils expected to cut 10,000 jobs between them over the next few years.