Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire Primary Care Trust to shed 100+ jobs (From Hereford Times)

Herefordshire Council and Herefordshire Primary Care Trust to shed 100+ jobs

2:20pm Friday 26th February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(3)

COUNCILLORS have been told there is no option but to go ahead with a cost-cutting scheme that could see more than 100 people lose their jobs.

Members of Herefordshire Council’s cabinet approved plans to merge support services across the council, Herefordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Hereford Hospitals Trust, which will improve efficiency and could save up to £5.4 million.

The areas affected in the shared services strategy include finance, human resources and information technology.

Council leader Roger Phillips promised that trades union and staff would continue to be briefed on the plans.

“The harsh reality is that this means we are talking about using fewer personnel,” he said.

“But, this is about the long-term sustainability of services in the county.

“There are clear savings to be made but it is vital we have tight project management.

“This is a great opportunity to modernise our services and make them more fit for purpose for the century in which we live.”

He said frontline services would not be affected.

Talks will continue between the three organisations ahead of a report being drawn up seeking a formal decision.

If approved, between 104 and 140 full-time posts could be lost.

It is suggested most of these could be realigned to support frontline services or absorbed through natural staff turnover.

The move has been prompted by the need to protect services to the most vulnerable members of the community, including Herefordshire’s ageing population.

A report produced for the council shows “a very strong argument for change” according to Annie Faulder, interim deputy chief executive of Herefordshire Council and the PCT.

“There is scope for making an improvement in these service areas and there are definitely savings to be made,” she said.

“We will protect the money going into frontline services but there is a credible case for moving ahead.

“Staying as we are is not an option.”

There are three different models which could be adopted when rolling out the new venture.

Either the three organisations could set up their own joint venture, outsource corporate functions to the private sector or have one of the organisations providing services for the other two.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(3)