Thursday 12th June 2014

More senior managers' jobs are to go at Derbyshire County Council as part of the organisation's drive to cut £157 million from its budget by 2018.

At a meeting last week, Cabinet agreed to remove a further 27 full time equivalent senior management posts, saving £2.24 million over the next three years.

Council Leader Councillor, Anne Western (below), said: "No one likes cutting jobs but we need to make cuts due to reductions in Government grants, inflation and greater demands on areas of the budget for many services.

"We said we would start by getting our own house in order - scrutinising spending, reviewing senior management and selling off redundant land.

"The senior management structure will be smaller but, by working more efficiently, we're confident we can continue to deliver services for local people and use the savings to help protect some front line services."

She added: "We can't duck the responsibility of making these Government cuts.

"Like every other council across the country we simply have no choice - but we have strong leadership and excellent financial management to tackle the tasks ahead.

"We take our responsibility to Derbyshire very seriously and will continue to be ambitious and not despondent."

The first phase of the review in November last year saved around £200,000 on management costs. Around £1.1 million will be saved in 2014/15 with a further £1 million over the following two years.

Staff whose posts are being removed in 2014/15 have been informed.

Other measures the council is taking as part of The Derbyshire Challenge to make budget cuts include:

• Scrutinising all areas of spending to ensure the cash is used where
  it is needed most
  
  
• Adopting strict vacancy controls
  
  
• Disposing of redundant land and buildings.
  
  
• Working closely with other public services, councils, community
  and voluntary groups by sharing services, integrating health and
  social care priorities and identifying the needs of every community
  to see how they can best be met.
  
  
• Maximising income and grants by making sure Derbyshire benefits
  from Local Enterprise Partnership funds to help deliver more jobs
  and growth and using every opportunity to bid for extra cash to
  support specific projects.

In January, Cabinet announced a number of proposals for 2014/15 to help cut the county council's budget.

The county council will be asking for people's comments on its budget cut proposals over the next two years and is currently asking for local people's views on cuts to mobile libraries and children's centres.

For more information visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/challenge

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