PROPOSALS to slash over 100 jobs at Central Beds Council will be discussed by the council s executive on Monday as it tries to cut a growing budget. A report before the executive will try and establish a voluntary severance scheme to aid the reduction in

PROPOSALS to slash over 100 jobs at Central Beds Council will be discussed by the council's executive on Monday as it tries to cut a growing budget.

A report before the executive will try and establish a voluntary severance scheme 'to aid the reduction in staffing as a result of budget pressures and reorganisation'.

The establishment of such a scheme would hopefully avoid compulsory redundancies, which will assist in reducing staff numbers in a managed way, says the report.

"Given the scale of the proposals, there is a need to have a range of measures in place to manage the reduction, and in the circumstances, a voluntary severance scheme can be an effective way of managing reductions in the right areas of the organisation," it adds.

It has been estimated if the proposals are adopted around 133 posts could be lost with an estimated 106 staff at risk of losing their jobs.

In December the executive endorsed proposals for a reduction in senior management costs by 20 per cent with a clear plan to be in place by March.

Cllr Maurice Jones, portfolio holder for corporate resources, says in his report on the proposals: "The scheme will need to be targeted appropriately in order that employees in areas most at risk of redundancy are given the opportunity to apply for voluntary severance.

"Consideration may be given to widening the scheme if doing so provides actual opportunities for employees in areas at risk to transfer and remain in employment."

But he adds: "There are still areas within the council where proposed reductions will put some permanent employees at risk of compulsory redundancy.

"We will look to achieve as much full year saving as possible, recognising that we are going through a major change programme.