WARRINGTON Borough Council plans to axe almost 50 jobs in its families and wellbeing services, the Warrington Guardian has learned.


It is believed that up to 46 jobs are under threat with a number of proposals for budget savings in the department currently being considered by council bosses.


Pam Howard, Unison Branch Secretary said the union is now ‘very anxious’ about the impact of Central Government cuts on the services available in Warrington.


She added: “The sterling work of an already reduced workforce at the council has meant the impact of previous cuts has not yet been felt by all residents, but the scale of financial cuts is set to increase in the coming years and there are no easy savings that can be made.


“As the chief executive says the low-hanging fruit has all gone, and Unison’s fear is that now the council is going to start chopping away at the trunk.


“Potential service cuts will affect disabled people and vulnerable children and families. We are very concerned about the impact on the local community.”


The cuts are part of a restructuring to modernise and transform the current services at the council while finding savings.


A council spokesperson said: “Proposals for budget savings have been drafted and we are now consulting on up to 46 redundancies with staff, unions and key stakeholders.


“This figure represents 2.5 per cent of the whole families and wellbeing workforce- not including school staff.


“We are facing some tough decisions but we are committed to exploring all alternatives to compulsory redundancies by looking at voluntary options and seeking to recruit staff to posts in other structures.


“Staff will be kept up to date and will be offered a range of support and advice during this process and all options will be fully explored before any final decisions are made.”