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| Powys Council could axe up to 300 jobs in £20m cut plan | Powys Council could axe up to 300 jobs in £20m cut plan |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Up to 300 Powys council workers are likely to lose their jobs as part of the local authority's plans to save £20m next year. | Up to 300 Powys council workers are likely to lose their jobs as part of the local authority's plans to save £20m next year. |
| The council has announced a four-pronged approach to tackle a £40m funding shortfall over the next three years. | The council has announced a four-pronged approach to tackle a £40m funding shortfall over the next three years. |
| The plan includes service cuts, a possible hike in council tax and increasing service charges. | The plan includes service cuts, a possible hike in council tax and increasing service charges. |
| It also aims to replace some staff by providing automated services. | It also aims to replace some staff by providing automated services. |
| The authority is facing a budget shortfall, in common with other councils in Wales, after a 4.5% cut in overall funding. | The authority is facing a budget shortfall, in common with other councils in Wales, after a 4.5% cut in overall funding. |
| It currently employs am equivalent of 5,000 full-time jobs. | It currently employs am equivalent of 5,000 full-time jobs. |
| Council leader David Jones said the scale of budget pressures meant that some services would no longer be provided by the authority. | Council leader David Jones said the scale of budget pressures meant that some services would no longer be provided by the authority. |
| He added: "In some cases similar provision may be provided by local communities or other organisations but some services will disappear altogether. | He added: "In some cases similar provision may be provided by local communities or other organisations but some services will disappear altogether. |
| "We have already embarked on major changes to the way we work and will see a very significant reduction in the number of people working for the council. | "We have already embarked on major changes to the way we work and will see a very significant reduction in the number of people working for the council. |
| "We anticipate that staff levels will decrease significantly in these difficult times." | "We anticipate that staff levels will decrease significantly in these difficult times." |
| BBC Wales understands that up to 300 council staff will lose their jobs in the next financial year. | BBC Wales understands that up to 300 council staff will lose their jobs in the next financial year. |
| Mr Jones said that improved income generation was a "vital part" of the council's budget response. | Mr Jones said that improved income generation was a "vital part" of the council's budget response. |
| This will include increasing charges for services that already attract a fee such as car parking charges or leisure centre admission. | This will include increasing charges for services that already attract a fee such as car parking charges or leisure centre admission. |
| He added: "We will be discussing levels of council tax. Every 1% increase generates £580,000 in income. | He added: "We will be discussing levels of council tax. Every 1% increase generates £580,000 in income. |
| "Additionally we could introduce charges where none previously existed for services such as pre-planning application advice and service charges to other organisations." | "Additionally we could introduce charges where none previously existed for services such as pre-planning application advice and service charges to other organisations." |
| The council will also change the way it delivers services by adopting new technologies, working practices or new providers to generate efficiencies. | The council will also change the way it delivers services by adopting new technologies, working practices or new providers to generate efficiencies. |
| Mr Jones said: "The public may see some changes in the service presented but crucially the service will continue to operate." | |
| Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies said it was inevitable there would be job losses in the wake of the budget reduction. | |
| Unemployment figures | |
| "We must do everything we can to create alternative jobs," he added. | |
| "Since the General Election in 2010 three jobs have been created in the private sector for every job lost in the public sector. | |
| "There has been a staggering 25% drop in unemployment figures in Montgomeryshire in the last 12 months with 220 fewer people out of work than this time last year." | |
| BBC Wales has asked public service workers union Unison to comment. | |
| The council will hold a series of open public events in key towns early in the New Year as well as an online survey and drop-in sessions for key service groups. | The council will hold a series of open public events in key towns early in the New Year as well as an online survey and drop-in sessions for key service groups. |
| Dates and venues for the meetings will be announced by the council on 27 December. | Dates and venues for the meetings will be announced by the council on 27 December. |