Dorset Council aims to reduce its wage bill by cutting up to 300 jobs as part of a transformation program
Dorset: Big changes are coming to the council. They plan to cut up to 300 jobs. This is to save £12.5 million from their wage bill. The council is calling this a transformation program. They hope to work more efficiently.
The union, Unison, is concerned. They say hundreds of jobs may go over the next few years. Many of these jobs are lower pay grades. They want the council to offer retraining instead of just cutting jobs.
Cllr Andrew Parry, a council leader, warns about the future. He believes the 2026/27 budget will be tough. If the council doesn’t prepare well now, it could face serious financial issues.
Aidan Dunn, the chief finance officer, spoke to councillors. He said the council must stick to its savings and transformation plans. Right now, they have enough reserves. They’ve set aside £12 million for unexpected costs in 2025-26.
By March 2024, the council expects to have £37.7 million in general reserves. By April 2025, this will drop to about £97 million. £22 million of that can be used for anything, while the rest is for specific projects.
Mr. Dunn stressed the importance of the transformation program. It aims to reshape the council and cut costs. He said they need to deliver on this plan to avoid future difficulties.
The council also wants to rebuild its reserves. They plan to add at least £3 million back into the fund next year. Discussions are ongoing about using new technology, including AI, to help with customer service.
The council believes that using automation will help staff focus on customers who need personal assistance. This way, they can provide better service to those who aren’t comfortable with technology.
