Council could axe 270 jobs and raise tax by 4.99%

Up to 270 jobs could be axed at Wakefield Council under plans to save £29m from its budget in the next financial year.

The authority could also increase council tax bills by the maximum 4.99%, as a report said its long-term financial position "remains uncertain and challenging".

Council leader Denise Jeffery said the Labour government had made "welcome early steps" to support local services, but "with such a dire inheritance, it's going to take time to fix the foundations of our economy".

Cabinet members are expected to agree the proposals at a meeting on 21 January.

The council warned last month it could make "potential staffing reductions" of up to 236 full-time posts.

But the latest report said 270 full-time roles could be lost if the proposals were fully implemented.

The report said 138 people had expressed an interest in voluntary redundancy, equivalent to 92 full-time roles, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council said it would look to make the reductions through voluntary redundancy and axing vacant posts "as far as possible".

The changes come as Wakefield Council faces a budget shortfall of more than £35m over the next financial year.

It is hoping to raise £9.1m by increasing council tax, which would cost Band D households an extra £1.65 per week and Band A households £1.10 per week.

The proposals also include changes to adult social care services and a reduction in the use of hotels to house homeless people.

Reduced library and museum opening hours are also being considered.

The budget will be put before a full council meeting for formal approval on 3 March.

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