West Lindsey: District council staff restructuring could cost taxpayers up to £100,000

Staff restructuring at West Lindsey District Council has already cost the taxpayer £60,000 and looks likely to top £100,000.
NEWS: The Gainsborough StandardNEWS: The Gainsborough Standard
NEWS: The Gainsborough Standard

Despite reassurances by Chief Executive Manjeet Gill earlier this month that there would be no “wholesale job losses,” it has been revealed £60,000 has been spent on restructuring which has seen four employees leave the council after their posts were dissolved.

The money has been spent on employing an outside agency to look at ways cost savings can be made in departments throughout West Lindsey District Council and on redundancy packages.

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New posts have been created and these will be advertised nationally, although this will again incur a cost to the taxpayer.

Coun Geoff Wiseman said: “We have spent £60,000 so far on outside agencies.”

“When you add to that the cost of redundancies and then think that we will have to recruit new staff you’re looking at a cost of over £100,000.”

“What I would say is as a member of the council which represents the people of West Lindsey I find it very hard to take that we have to make cuts to the budget of £3m and we are spending this sum of money on redundancy and we will have to spend more on recruiting more people.”

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Ian Knowles, Director of Resources at West Lindsey District Council, said: “There are no large scale job cuts as there are still the same number of posts available.”

“However, these new roles require different skills.”

“The council is now focused on providing support to those who have been affected.”

“The recruitment process has been transparent and fair to all candidates.”

“Staff were consulted on the new structure and the individuals affected have been supported throughout.”

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“The number of posts available through the recruitment process was more than those applying and individuals could apply for more than one post.”

“We will be seeking to recruit to the posts, which will be advertised nationally, in the New Year.”

“We require the right skills to deliver our budget savings without impacting on the service to our residents.”

“As part of that, like other councils, special support was required to make these assessments and we have done this for recruitment of the chief executive and the directors.”

“With regards to the cost of £60,000, this is not only for the recruitment process but the development of staff and existing managers for the challenges ahead.”

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