Wolverhampton City Council plans to cut 150 more jobs

Plans to cut up to 150 further jobs have been unveiled by Wolverhampton City Council.

The authority, which is trying to save an estimated £73m over the next five years, said the planned job losses were part of £20m of new savings in 2012/13.

It has altered its budget to allocate £14m to improving the city centre and to reduce savings in youth and voluntary and community services.

The move follows a consultation with more than 4,000 residents.

'No impact'

The Labour-controlled council said 100 to 150 job losses were likely between 2012 and 2013.

Its leader, Roger Lawrence, said: "We hope these will be achieved through staff turnover and the deletion of vacant posts.

"Wherever possible, we will minimise the need for compulsory redundancies through the council's voluntary redundancy scheme and redeployment."

Of the £20m in new savings over the next year, the authority said £15m would be through efficiencies, including a review of middle management, rather than cutting services.

The council said proposed savings of £500,000 from the youth service over one year had been reduced to £75,000 in response to residents' views and these cuts would "have no impact on the service provided".

Planned savings of £350,000 in the voluntary and community sector over two years have been cut to £150,000, of which £25,000 will be required in 2012/2013.

The £14m to improve the city centre over the next year includes creating better transport and demolishing derelict properties.

Plans will be looked at by the cabinet on 21 February and a full council meeting has been scheduled to make a final decision in early March.

The council said since 2009/2010 it had saved more than £60m "by being more efficient, restructuring services and reducing staff, starting with the most senior posts".

The Unison union said it would not comment on the proposed job cuts until it had held talks with the council's leadership.