South Tyneside Council warns up to 600 jobs could be axed

Since 2010, 1,003 members of council staff have taken voluntary redundancy

Up to 600 jobs could be axed at South Tyneside Council as it faces making cuts of more than £55m.

The authority said over the next four years, from October 2015 to March 2020, it could reduce nearly 600 posts.

This is in addition to more than £120m that has been saved since 2010, which has resulted in 1,003 members of staff taking voluntary redundancy.

Unison regional organiser, Karen Loughlin, said it was a "frightening time" for staff and residents.

The council said 600 posts was the "worst case scenario" and it was to hold formal discussions with the trade unions.

Ms Loughlin, said 600 out of a workforce of 2,700 is a "massive proportion".

She said: "We are really concerned very worried about the impact it is going to have on the staff and the residents within South Tyneside.

"There are no specifics where the cuts will come from so it will be a really worrying period."

'Bleak future'

The authority said the final figure on the actual number of jobs that could be affected will not be known until later in the budgeting process.

It pledged to make every effort to avoid compulsory redundancies by using its voluntary redundancy scheme.

Councillor Ed Malcolm, lead member for resources and innovation, said some "very difficult decisions" would need to be made.

He said: "The future looks bleak... this is not something that myself or colleagues relish - far from it.

"Massive cuts to the support available for working people will hit families with children hardest. Of course as a council we will do all we can to minimise the impact on frontline services.

"Put bluntly - in 2020 South Tyneside Council as we know it will change dramatically. This undoubtedly will have an effect on our residents and the services which they receive."