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 is Oldham's biggest employer with nearly 5,000 staff.
The authority is Oldham's biggest employer with nearly 5,000 staff.
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.
Staff are expected to find out details of the cuts when they arrive at work on Friday.
Staff are expected to find out details of the cuts when they arrive at work on Friday.
My reaction is shock Phil Woolas MP
My reaction is shock Phil Woolas MP
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."
Phil Woolas, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, is meeting with council bosses on Friday to discuss the proposals.
Phil Woolas, Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, is meeting with council bosses on Friday to discuss the proposals.
Rebranding
Rebranding
"My reaction is shock," he said.
"My reaction is shock," he said.
"We had a very good settlement in the grants this year from the government, the best in the region, at 6%."
"We had a very good settlement in the grants this year from the government, the best in the region, at 6%."
Mr Woolas said that he was unclear whether the jobs cuts were part of an "options paper" rather than specific cuts.
Mr Woolas said that he was unclear whether the jobs cuts were part of an "options paper" rather than specific cuts.
In April a new £100,000 rebranding was announced with new visual identity - known as One Oldham - to replace the council's old seven squares symbol.
In April, before the Liberal Democrats took control of the authority, a £100,000 rebranding was announced with new visual identity - known as One Oldham - to replace the council's old seven squares symbol.
A month later the Liberal Democrats took control of the council from Labour. />
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Do you live in Oldham? What is your reaction to the cuts? Have you been affected by them?
Do you live in Oldham? What is your reaction to the cuts? Have you been affected by them?
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