Council jobs may go to save cash

Up to 30 jobs could go and services may be cut at Forest of Dean district council to avoid a �1.1m budget overspend next year.

The authority is blaming the economic downturn, which has led to poorer returns in investments and a drop in fees earned for certain services.

The pest control service and tourist information centres could go.

The cabinet will discuss the proposed cuts next Wednesday, ahead of a full council meeting in February.

Demand for these services has fallen off as the district begins to feel the effects of the credit crunch Councillor Brian Robinson

Cabinet member for efficient council and finance, Brian Robinson, said: "Some of our services which earn fees such as planning, land charges and building control have a direct relation to the property market and the prosperity of the building industry.

"Demand for these services has fallen off as the district begins to feel the effects of the credit crunch.

"Our income is expected to fall by some �500,000. In addition, falling interest rates will reduce our investment income."

He said between 25 and 30 posts could be cut, some of which were already vacant.

Efforts would be made to ensure the jobs would go through natural wastage, voluntary redundancy and redeploying staff where appropriate, he added.

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