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Jobs pledge in wake of historic alliance

by Emilene Coventry
2/ 7/2008

TOWN hall bosses have pledged that there will be no compulsory redundancies as a result of a cost-cutting alliance between the High Peak and Staffordshire.

It is the country’s first strategic alliance between two councils working across separate and regional boundaries.

High Peak Borough Council says that by working together they will be able to drive down council tax increases and improve services – saving a total of £1.25m.

A spokeswoman for the council said: "A key principle in developing the strategic alliance transformation programme is that no compulsory staff redundancies should result."

She said that ultimately fewer people would be employed than now, however.

Reductions were likely to be in ‘back office’ functions rather than front-line posts, and would be achieved largely through ‘natural wastage’.

"For example, joint working will not reduce the need for grounds maintenance and streetcare staff, but already we have taken the opportunity to share a chief executive when a vacancy arose," she added.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council leader Sybil Ralphs and High Peak Borough Council leader Tony Ashton signed the agreement – or concordat – on 18 June. Top of the agenda will be projects such as affordable housing and environmental issues like dog fouling and litter.

Councillor Ashton said: "We’re committed to low council tax increases, which have been below average and have consistently fallen year on year. We’re determined to maintain this trend."