No job cuts at new Council

John Kelpie, the new chief executive of the Londonderry and Strabane super council, has said there will be no major job losses when the two existing bodies merge next year.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th May 2014, 10:59 BST
John Kelpie, Tony Callaghan and Gareth Gallagher, pictured at Londonderry Chamber of Commerce's 56th Annual dinner in the White Horse Hotel. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 18.10.13John Kelpie, Tony Callaghan and Gareth Gallagher, pictured at Londonderry Chamber of Commerce's 56th Annual dinner in the White Horse Hotel. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 18.10.13
John Kelpie, Tony Callaghan and Gareth Gallagher, pictured at Londonderry Chamber of Commerce's 56th Annual dinner in the White Horse Hotel. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 18.10.13

But he did not rule out the possibility of voluntary redundancies.

“A big reduction in staff numbers has never been the objective of the exercise,” he said.

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“I can’t rule out the possibility of voluntary redundancies, but there are not going to be major job losses.”

The new council, which will operate as a shadow body under the name Derry City and Strabane District Council, will have a total workforce of around 1,000. That will incorporate 650 existing Derry city Council workers and the 250 staff at Strabane District Council along with staff brought in from the Planning Service.

The new council meets for the first time next Wednesday in the Guildhall. It will be the first time the 40 councillors elected last week will meet together.

Appointing a chairman, to be known as the presiding councillor, and a deputy, will be one of the main items of business as well as establishing new committees.

“There are tens of thousands of things to be done over the next 12 months,” Mr Kelpie said.

Related topics:CouncilStrabaneStrabane District CouncilDerry City