Council criticised over cuts plan

A county council planning to axe jobs and cut budgets to save £100m has come under fire for failing to consult before making the announcement.

Robin Palfrey, of the Unison union representing staff at Northamptonshire County Council, said he learned about the plans from the media.

Opposition leader Brendan Glynane said millions of pounds of government cash had been lost, making cuts more savage.

Council leader Jim Harker said it was in danger of running out of money.

'Case by case'

The council says it plans to concentrate spending on services it is are obliged to provide under the law.

Services which are provided at the council's own discretion are under threat but will be looked at on a case by case basis, Mr Harker said.

"We will look high and low for cuts to make these savings over the next four years," he said.

Union representative Mr Palfrey said in the past the union had sat down with council leaders and discussed how cuts could be made, and was involved in any announcements.

"The first I heard of this was when Radio Northamptonshire phoned me to ask for a comment," he said.

Lib Dem leader Mr Glynane said that the crisis began to emerge in 2008 with the collapse of Northern Rock and the financial troubles in the US.

He said: "The Conservative administration did nothing then and now they are faced with having to make these savage cuts.

"When they took power in 2005 council tax was effectively cut and this has meant over the years they have missed out on millions of pounds in matching government funding."

Council leader Mr Harker insisted savings must be made to prevent the authority from running out of money.

He said: "The recession means that a future government will freeze or cut the money we're given. At the same time, costs are rising, more people are moving to the county and people are living for longer."