90 jobs under threat at Hull City Council's children's service
MORE job cuts could be on the way in Hull City Council's children and young people's service.
Last year, about 300 staff from the department took voluntary redundancy, saving the council £10 million in wages.
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cost-cutting measures: Reviews currently under way are looking at reducing spending on fostering, among other things.
It was part of a 20 per cent budget reduction at the council's biggest-spending department.
Now, council officials have admitted another 90 posts might have to be axed because of continued budget pressures caused by Government funding cuts.
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The service is being asked to make £7.6 million of savings this year but forecasts suggest it will not meet that target.
Instead, the current financial forecast predicts a £3.1 million budget overspend.
In a new report, the council's head of finance Brendan Arnold says: "Mitigating the impact of this year's budget position and preparing further for 2013-14 may require targeted reorganisation across the directorate which could reduce the current establishment by up to 90 full-time equivalent posts.
"This action is in addition to a number of policy decisions that need to be taken in order to mitigate the existing pressures on the directorate."
The first of those decisions was taken earlier this week when cabinet councillors agreed to scrap discretionary school grants for children from low-income families.
That move is expected to save at least £200,000 a year.
Other reviews currently under way are looking at home-to-school transport costs, the operation of the city's youth service and residential child care services with an emphasis on reducing spending on fostering and residential agency placements outside of Hull.
The work the council does to support poorly-performing schools is also being reviewed in the light of national funding changes.
In his report, Mr Arnold said all departments across the council were being asked to tighten their belts and deliver cost savings.
But he said: "The implications for post reductions fall most immediately in the children and young people's service directorate."
Speaking at this week's cabinet in a debate over the school clothing grant cut, Councillor Steven Bayes said the council's traditional role as a local education authority was waning because more schools were now effectively operating independently by switching to academy status.
"If schools are moving away like this, I don't think it's right for us to be providing uniforms in this way any more.
"It's another consequence of us no longer really being the local education authority."
Mick Whale, Hull secretary of the National Union of teachers, said the council leaders needed to campaign against cuts.
"Last year council trade unions provided the foot soldiers that won Labour office in Hull to stop the cuts.
"They will not sit back and let a Labour council implement cuts. One way or another, there will be a fight against the cuts."
Comments
by PeeScooper
Thursday, October 04 2012, 10:16PM
“Why are they cutting these services when there is so much waste at the top of the pile?
Let's see the headlines when a child dies due to a lack of services...have a look at the ERYC pay lists and see what Alison Michalska (head of children's services) is on. Disgusting.”
by MimiTheDJ
Thursday, October 04 2012, 4:15PM
“Mimi knows just how it feels....”
by talisman
Thursday, October 04 2012, 3:50PM
“Well it just shows what this Labour council priorities are, CYPD cut to the bone putting children at risk ,yet they see fit to give millions in loans to a sports club (rovers) to build a stand which is not needed the club cannot fill it now,the same club who have had to get a million pound loan from the Allams to keep the club going,already millions in debt so they will never pay it back. I think this council should be examined by the powers to be and see whats going on it stinks.The people of Hull should remember this council when the next local election comes round”
by HCCworker
Thursday, October 04 2012, 2:23PM
“Well, I will admit as a HCC's employee in the Children and Young people's department it has been a delight to be told about these job cuts by the Hull Daily Mail rather then our own department heads...”
by PatrickNewman
Thursday, October 04 2012, 11:01AM
“What is the point in the Labour administration continuing to implement cuts for the most right wing government in modern times. Labour should resign the leadership of the council and oppose all further cuts. Otherwise they are doing what Clegg said he would never allow - dealing with the deficit on the backs of the poor.
BTW it is irresponsible for Cllr Bayes for declare that Hull is no longer the education authority no matter how chaotic and mistaken Gove's schools policy is.”
by Exoskeletion
Thursday, October 04 2012, 9:56AM
“Thats the problem with politics - Parties say whatever will get them in power, only to realise that what they want to do isn't possible, but who gives a monkeys now, cos we're in power!
They're all the same.”
by KiminHull
Thursday, October 04 2012, 9:08AM
“cut like the Lib Dems did, willy nilly leaving departments crippled, CSCs unable to open and staff morale at an all time low? You are insane.”
by ErnestDeadman
Thursday, October 04 2012, 8:53AM
“Well, Well a £3 Million perhaps if they had cut like the Lib Dems had wanted they wouldn't have had to do this. Lets be honest these Labour people got in on not making people redundant and now they are in a very inefficient and chaotic manner.”