Axe to fall on Council jobs

The BBC is reporting that Powys County Council has approved a plan to axe dozens of employees in a bid to balance the books.

The council needs to make savings in the region of £30 million over the next three years and aims to cut jobs to shave £4 million off the wage bill. Up to 200 posts from 5,000 employees are set to go but some will be retirements and voluntary redundancies.

A decision last month was deferred until today when councilors gave the cuts the green light. The public services union, Unison, has opposed the cuts.

It was also confirmed, according to the BBC report, that community grants will be cut by 10% but there was no final decision made on sixth formers having to pay for school transport.

The meeting also confirmed that council tax will rise by 2.75%.