Special meeting on Antrim and Newtownabbey Council redundancies

Initially, the local authority announced that it was to shed 73 “short service and agency staff”.

The council then decided to temporarily defer a proposal to release 46 “short service” staff but said that it may have to review the situation again within the next two weeks.

This review will take place behind closed doors at a meeting which is being held remotely.

Unite union Kieran Ellison, Unite said: “This decision gives time to investigate alternatives; in particular the option of furloughing council employees under the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).

“Unite would like to thank those political representatives who were involved in securing the current extension. We call on all councillors to stand by their employees when this issue comes back before them.”

The item is listed on the agenda as Temporary Job Retention Scheme/Furlough and will be held in committee. No members of the public or Press will be privy to the discussion.

The council’s emergency financial plan will also be discussed.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has said that it will “continue to plan for urgent action” to ensure the provision of essential services amid “serious concerns about ongoing financial sustainability”.

The council has stated that it also does not “foresee any recovery to meaningful income levels in leisure, arts and culture in this financial year”.

The local authority has reported that it is losing £750k income monthly following the closure of council facilities on March 18, combined with reductions in planning and building control activity.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has also admitted it has “very grave concerns” over rates income this year due to an anticipated “economic downturn” and fears a “substantial rates increase next year”.

The council has reported a “significant financial impact in relation to the decisions that have been made by council to maintain public safety during the emergency period and additional costs incurred to comply with government directions as a result of the pandemic”.

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.