Swindon Borough Council set to lose 100 jobs

Up to 100 jobs are to be cut at Swindon Borough Council as it seeks to achieve savings of £16m for 2013-14.

The Conservative-run council finalised the plans at a meeting to discuss its budget over the next 12 months.

It says it has been forced into the move by a cut in government funding and did not want to raise taxes.

Council leader Rod Bluh said despite 100 jobs being cut, only about 60 workers will be affected as a number of vacant posts will be "deleted".

The government has said councils need to curb spending in tough economic times.

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles, has said the spending power of councils in England needs be cut by 1.7% in the next financial year.

In order to be adopted, the proposed budget cuts will be voted on at a full council meeting in two weeks.

Wiltshire Council has announced it needs to save about £28m in its new budget.

It said it will freeze council tax for a third year running, and will make savings by continuing with efficiencies already in place, including cutting down on the use of consultants and by also axing vacant posts.