Norfolk County Council cuts could see 3,000 jobs axed

More than 3,000 jobs could go over the next four years under plans being put forward by Norfolk County Council in a bid to save £150m.

The Conservative-controlled authority would become "a smaller, more sharply focused council", its deputy leader Ian Mackie said.

The council is proposing cutting staff costs, streamlining its services and stopping non-essential work.

It is seeking local people's views on the plans.

Mr Mackie said the changes would focus on helping the vulnerable in society, protecting the public and building strong communities.

The council said its proposals were being made in the wake of the government's Spending Review with its 7.1% reduction in local government spending for each of the next four years.

'Exceptional times'

It said it did not yet know its full financial position and might need to save more once grant funding allocations were announced in December.

The council's proposals include major changes to its services for youth, museums, countryside, meals on wheels, adult education and historic buildings.

It said it also hoped voluntary groups might take on the council's role in maintaining public footpaths, countryside areas and school crossing patrols.

Mr Mackie, who is also cabinet member for finance, said: "Exceptional times demand an exceptional response and only a fundamental reform of what the county council does and the way in which it does it will do.

"In order to protect as many front-line services as possible, we plan to strip back spending on overheads and management costs."

The Norfolk Big Conversation consultation document pledges that Norfolk County Council's share of council tax will be pegged at its current level next year.

The council proposes:

• Cost cutting and efficiency savings through, for example, cutting staff costs to save £48m

• Streamlining services to help save £29m

• Scaling back the scope of its services and stopping non-essential work to save £73m