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Oldham Council plans 850 job cuts Oldham Council plans 850 job cuts
(10 minutes later)
Up to 850 staff at Oldham Council face losing their jobs as the authority tries to tackle a budget deficit of more than £17m.Up to 850 staff at Oldham Council face losing their jobs as the authority tries to tackle a budget deficit of more than £17m.
Council leader Howard Sykes said it was "critical" that the authority found a way to save money, but added that the plans were still at an early stage.Council leader Howard Sykes said it was "critical" that the authority found a way to save money, but added that the plans were still at an early stage.
The Liberal Democrat-controlled council said it would try to minimise the need for any compulsory redundancies.The Liberal Democrat-controlled council said it would try to minimise the need for any compulsory redundancies.
The authority employs nearly 5,000 people.The authority employs nearly 5,000 people.
'Value for money''Value for money'
Councillors met with trade union representatives on Thursday to discuss the proposed cuts, which the authority said would not affect any schools.Councillors met with trade union representatives on Thursday to discuss the proposed cuts, which the authority said would not affect any schools.
Mr Sykes said: "The fact is that the council has to find £17.3m of savings to balance next year's budget.Mr Sykes said: "The fact is that the council has to find £17.3m of savings to balance next year's budget.
"Staffing costs, like those of a lot of other councils up and down the country, are a big part of our overall budget, so it is inevitable that we should explore the potential for savings in this area."Staffing costs, like those of a lot of other councils up and down the country, are a big part of our overall budget, so it is inevitable that we should explore the potential for savings in this area.
"The proposed savings are critical in our efforts to provide the borough's residents with the value-for-money services they quite rightly expect.""The proposed savings are critical in our efforts to provide the borough's residents with the value-for-money services they quite rightly expect."
In April the council announced a £100,000 rebranding with new visual identity - known as One Oldham - to replace the council's old seven squares symbol.