Poole council announces up to 200 jobs to be lost

Up to 200 jobs are set to go at a Dorset council, it has been announced.

Borough of Poole said it had to cut its budget by at least £29m over the next three years and compulsory redundancies were unavoidable.

The cuts are due to the government's Spending Review, which will see the Conservative-led council face a 28% reduction in funding over four years.

The council said it would consult staff and trade unions, with a final decision made in January.

'Additional savings'

The council employs about 2,050 full-time staff and of those posts identified as at risk about 70 are vacant.

Councillor Elaine Atkinson, council leader, said: "At a time when we have increasing demand for services, the council is facing massive cuts in government funding.

"We have managed to find additional savings of £10m in our budget this year. However, it is clear that we will need to make further savings in the years ahead.

"No decisions have been made at this time and every effort will be made to minimise the impact on our staff."