Antrim and Newtownabbey Council to furlough 300 staff members

Commenting after the council agreed to furlough more than 300 of 650 jobs, Ulster Unionist Alderman Mark Cosgrove told the BBC it was “not possible” for the local authority to continue paying those staff wages.

He pointed out the council is “many many millions in a cash deficit” which had to be “balanced with affordability” and “fair treatment” to colleagues who were being furloughed.

The council has already stated it is currently losing £750k monthly since the closure of facilities in response to the Covid-19 crisis.

When the rate was struck by the local authority in February, it was reported overall costs have  increased by £1.5m mainly due to salary costs of £560k, energy costs of £140k and waste disposal costs of £800k.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said  it had “maintained its record of the lowest rates increase across Northern Ireland since the council mergers in 2015” but requires the sum of £52m to be raised through the rates process.

The decision on job cuts was taken behind closed doors. Members went “into committee” to discuss the furloughing of staff meaning members of the public and Press were not privy to the discussion.

Initially, the local authority had decided to shed 73 agency and short service staff.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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