A further 285 jobs at risk at Derby City Council

A further 285 jobs are at risk at Derby City Council after cuts in government grants.

The council had already earmarked 465 posts to be cut as part of plans to save £32m by 2012.

It said this figure was likely to increase to 750 posts after the government announced a 25% cut in council funding.

Councillor Harvey Jennings, leader of the city council, said the priority would be to protect frontline services.

'Difficult decisions'

Mr Jennings said: "Cuts to individual departments are not proposed at this stage and all service area opportunities will be explored, but increased staff savings will have to be a part of our process.

"The priority will be to protect the most essential frontline services but it's clear that very difficult decisions are going to have to be made as we continue with the 'One Derby One Council' transformation programme.

"In order to address the significant budget reductions, Derby City Council will be challenging the services we provide, how we provide them, to what level they are provided or subsidised, and who should provide them in the future."

The savings will be discussed at a meeting of the authority's cabinet on Tuesday and at full council on Wednesday.

The budget will go before full council for approval in March 2011.