Almost 90 applications for voluntary redundancy from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

The proposed severance was discussed behind closed doors at a recent meeting of the council’s Personnel Committee.

Minutes of the meeting, which took place in September, said that the council’s voluntary severance scheme received an initial 172 expressions of interest. Councillors were told that 89 employees submitted a formal application.

A report to the committee noted that a group of directors has met to consider the applications and impact assessments.

Councillors were told previously that “the budget reduction relating to the reduction in workforce is already within this year’s budget”. The local authority has said that there will be “changes to staffing structures and investment in services to boost efficiency and value for money”.

The borough council has been selling land and property, including Smiley Buildings, one of its main civic buildings at Victoria Road, in Larne, which was on the market for £350k, following an asset review, as it seeks to address its “strained financial position”. Last October, interim chief executive Valerie Watts confirmed that the local authority had a financial deficit of £7.2m.

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In March, councillors were asked to approve voluntary redundancy for “employees whose severance can be justified by a business case”. A report to members at the time said: “The objective is to achieve significant savings during the next 12 months.”

A report to the Personnel Committee indicated that an external HR consultant has provided “oversight on the process and has given assurances that the process that was followed was fair and robust”.

It was noted that Carrick Castle Ulster Unionist Councillor Robin Stewart expressed concern that “declining applications may lead to some employees becoming disgruntled”.

The interim chief executive reminded members that decisions are being made “in the best interests of the council and that employees retain the right to appeal the decision”.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has been asked for a comment.

In February, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council had 642 employees. Of these, 526 were full-time; 116, part-time, 184 were agency staff and 19 had fixed-term contracts. The council furloughed 212 staff during the Covid pandemic.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter