Council to axe 30 posts in cost saving exercise

The decision was made in an announcement that the council’s plan to save £7.4million in the current financial year was on track.
Nearly 14 of the jobs are already vacant positions which have not been filled.
The council must wait for the Government’s Autumn statement - not published until December - to find out how many more millions have been cut from its budget.
The leader of the council, Gordon Lundie (Con, Lambourn), said: “The council’s budget cannot be finalised until the new year which is after the council’s financial settlement from the Government has been confirmed and latest projections taken on board.
“At that time we will reassess and make whatever adjustments are necessary.
“That said, I am confident that increased efficiency and good financial management is enabling us to meet savings targets while maintaining essential frontline services as far as possible.
“We will be saving a considerable amount of money through improved procurement with no reduction in those services."
Mr Lundie said he was hopeful that actual redundancies could be kept to a minimum by redeployment and staff wishing to take voluntary redundancy.
The majority of the job losses will be in social care and its re-ablement service which helps those in the community with a disability, or those having been discharged from hospital, with their daily activities.
A review has shown that this service can be fully maintained with fewer staff by changing working practices.
It is anticipated up to £700K can be saved year on year in this way.