HUNDREDS of job roles could be at risk when all councils in Essex are scrapped, a union has warned. Unison says it fears staff are being left “vulnerable” as pay deals could be “in jeopardy” among plans to shake up all councils in the county reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Unison insists workers in Essex must be protected from job cuts in the Labour Government’s plans to abolish all council and replace them with larger authorities which cover more areas. Under the plans district and county councils will be scrapped and larger authorities will be created. The plans could see areas which once had their own councils merged under one.
While no details have been announced it could see for example Basildon and Thurrock under one council and or Braintree, Colchester and Tendring under another. The leader of Essex County Council has not ruled out the possibility the county could even be covered by just one council.
A new strategic mayor and authority for the whole of Essex is also due to be elected. The union says ministers must ensure no compulsory redundancies are made as a result of the reorganisation and that wages, pensions and benefits, such as sick pay and leave, must also be protected when workers are transferred to the new authorities.
Unison Eastern head of local government Alex Porter said: “Reorganising local government in Essex cannot be used as a convenient cover for job cuts. “Hundreds of council roles are at risk under these wide-ranging proposals. Across the country, local authorities are under severe financial strain following years of austerity.
“But communities mustn’t lose the expertise that ensures authorities can support their residents. It would be a travesty if crucial public services are shut down, outsourced or sold off in pursuit of further savings across a sector that’s already suffered savage cuts for many years. Councils are long overdue a multi-year funding settlement that stabilises local services, ensures residents can access the support they deserve and protects staff. A fair pay deal, including for care workers, must be part of the solution.”
