Leeds City Council to consider 750 job cuts and building sales

Leeds City Council is facing a significant funding gap

Up to 750 Leeds City Council jobs are at risk and services could be cut due to a multimillion-pound funding gap.

The city council said cost-saving measures such as job cuts and building closures would be discussed at a meeting next Wednesday.

At the moment, it said it was facing an overspend of £29.6m for the current financial year.

Council leader James Lewis said the sale of council-owned car parks and the Civic Hall would also be considered.

The local authority estimates it will have a funding gap of £168.2m up to the end of March 2027, with £59.2m relating to the next financial year.

On Tuesday, the city council issued a formal notice to inform workers of plans to cut up to 750 full-time equivalent posts by the end of the 2024/25 financial year.

Compulsory redundancies would be a last resort, according to the city council.

'Extra pressure'

Council leader James Lewis said the council had now reached a stage where it needed to look at "every option, no matter how unpalatable".

He said: "[This] sadly includes the possibility of compulsory redundancies as well as building closures, asset sales and stopping or reducing some council services which will no doubt have an impact.

"Given the scale of the funding shortfall we will be looking at every building in the council estate from the Civic Hall to local community facilities, to identify what can be disposed of while still providing services to the public."

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, he said the staff reduction would have a knock-on effect on council-run services.

Mr Lewis said: "We know that after Covid and austerity a lot of our staff were working harder than they've ever done before and we need to be really clear about not putting extra pressure on staff.

"So if we have less money and fewer staff, we have to provide fewer services for the city."

The city council said buildings such as Adams Court, 15 Lavender Walk, Broomhill Family Centre and Foxcroft Close had been earmarked for potential closure by the end of 2023.

Staff affected by any sell-off and the services provided would be relocated, it added.

Swinegate Car Park, Harper Street Car Park, St George House and 2180 Century Way at Thorpe Park, which are currently leased out to operators, are also being considered for sale.