Cardiff council cuts: 'anxious calls' as 600 jobs face axe

14 February 2015

A union says it is expecting "anxious calls" from Cardiff council staff after Wales' largest authority said nearly 600 posts could go.

Council tax may also rise by 5% and services, including day centres and youth services, cut as it looks to plug a £41m budget shortfall in 2015/16.

The council is hoping about 200 of the at-risk jobs could be transferred to other providers who take on services.

The union Unison said it would work to help its members.

Other cuts include reducing the senior management team by a third, cutting funding for parks and offloading play centres.

The drug and alcohol counselling service could become volunteer-led but seven libraries no longer face closure.

'Impossible' job

Steve Belcher, south Wales regional organiser for union Unison, said he was expecting calls from anxious members on Monday morning.

"The council may want to look at compulsory redundancies," he said.

"If so we will have to consult with our members and provide an appropriate response."

Cardiff council leader Phil Bale said it was becoming impossible for the council to continue delivering services as they are.

Cardiff council employs around 10,000 people, excluding teachers, of which there are about 6,000.

In total, 587 posts are at risk but the council hopes that more than 200 jobs could be transferred to other providers who take on services.

The cabinet will review the budget on 19 February before going to a vote at full council on 26 February.

Lewis Clarke/Geograph

Cardiff council employs around 10,000 people, excluding teachers

Libraries - initial plans to save £283,000 by cutting funding to seven branches have been removed
Youth services - £1.1m saving but the council will continue to support the delivery of youth provision
Play services - play-related activities would be provided by other organisations on various sites with the council no longer managing or staffing play centres
Parks - savings planned have been reduced by £30,000
Day centres - the original £800,000 savings have been cut by half with Gabalfa, Fairwater, Llanrumney and Ely centres closing over a year
Cardiff Alcohol and Drug Team - a saving of £218,000 with a one-off fund given to develop the volunteer aspect of the service