Mid Ulster Council furloughs 365 staff

In doing so, the Council also confirmed it managed to offset April’s losses by  around a third.

As things stand, of the council’s 1,092 staff, 365 have been furloughed. It is Council’s understanding that this will reduce April’s losses of around £620,000 by £200,200.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a spokesperson for Mid Ulster District Council said: “The Council has now furloughed 365 employees from a total of 1,092 (including casual and seasonal staff).

“As a result and assuming there are no issues with the application, this means that in April the Council’s losses of approximately £620,000 per month will be offset by £200,200.”

Last week, Mid Ulster District Council said it planned to furlough “a total of 350 staff, the majority of whom work in the leisure, culture and tourism services.”

Council also made it clear last week, that none of the furloughed staff “would suffer any financial detriment”. Its statement at that time also claimed that furloughing 350 staff could offset Council’s losses by “approximately £280,000 per month”.

Speaking last week, the Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Martin Kearney, said the move was prudent and in the interests of rate payers.

“Councils across the board have been dealing with mounting losses, particularly with the closure of our leisure and cultural facilities, and we anticipate even greater financial challenges in the future with the likely shrinking of our rates base.

“In implementing the scheme, the Council is being financially prudent, demonstrating a commitment to minimising the impact of the pandemic on our ratepayers and helping to protect employment.

“Ultimately the scheme will benefit both the organisation and our residents.”

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