Swindon Borough Council set to lose about 50 extra jobs

About 50 more jobs are likely to be cut at Swindon Borough Council as it bids to achieve savings of £16m for 2013-14.

The Conservative-run council has already outlined 70 posts which are to be shed before April, some of which are already vacant.

"This may not be the end of it - we can't say the exact number until we meet to discuss the budget," said Rod Bluh, leader of the council.

The council is due to publish its final budget papers on Tuesday 29 January.

Letters have already been sent to staff affected by the first 70 threatened job cuts.

Staff in the 50 newly-identified posts will be sent letters before the budget papers are published, Mr Bluh said.

Swindon's Labour group leader, Councillor Jim Grant, said the further losses were "very concerning" and he urged Mr Bluh to avoid cutting frontline jobs.

"None of these choices is easy but the public will still be expecting their potholes filled and elderly cared for, so protecting the frontline has to be the priority," he said.

The employment of senior managers and consultants were two areas that the council could look at to make savings, according to Mr Grant.