Council shares job cuts plan with staff

Dorset Council previously said it would cut 386 posts

A council has vowed to try to avoid compulsory redundancies as it cuts hundreds of staff as part of an information technology project.

Dorset Council previously said it would introduce voice automation and artificial intelligence to help save £77m by 2030.

The project, called Our Future Council, is estimated to cost £48m over that period.

The authority, which previously said 386 full-time equivalent posts would be lost, said it would share proposals with staff this week.

Councillor Ben Wilson, in charge of corporate development and transformation, said: "We know change can be difficult.

"We're taking a phased approach which means initially, around 500 colleagues will be consulted this year on possible changes to the way they work.

"Proposals being shared with colleagues this week include a reduction of a limited number of roles.

"We're doing everything we can to reduce the number of compulsory redundancies, including offering voluntary options and not filling some roles when people leave."

'Digitally excluded'

The council said the project would bring together staff who were "doing similar jobs using different systems and processes".

It added: "Most changes will affect how the council handles customer inquiries and internal support services.

"For example, a new contact system will mean employees see a resident's past interactions with the council in one place.

"More services will also be available online, for those who want to use them."

At a meeting of the council cabinet in January, UNISON branch secretary Becky Brookman questioned the savings figures.

She added: "These cuts are focusing on roles that are mainly undertaken by women in low-paid positions.

"There is also a potential impact on customers through automation especially for older people and those digitally excluded."

The first internal changes are expected in October, the council said.