Top jobs to be axed at Rochdale Council

Councillor Richard Farnell

Executive posts at Rochdale Council are to be cut as the Council has to find a further £51M in savings from its spending. New council leader, Councillor Richard Farnell says that will mean cuts to staff and services but has pledged the job losses will "start at the top".

Councillor Farnell said:"We are facing a further £51m cuts and we cannot cut such a huge amount without affecting vital services. But our priorities are clear. The Labour Council will strive to protect those essential services as far possible. That means bigger reductions in all other services. We are also looking at ways to save money by sharing services with other councils and public bodies to reduce costs.

“The cuts have to start at the top – not the bottom. The council has already cut the number of top jobs from 20 down to six. That has been difficult, but the scale of cuts being imposed on us mean we have to go further. The council’s new cabinet is looking at saving up to £3million by cutting the number of executive posts even further and making big reductions in other senior and middle management posts. Our senior management structure in the future will be much more leaner and fit for purpose.

“When the jobs and pay of staff on the front line have been cut back over several years, council staff and the public of Rochdale expect us to make the right decisions to put front line services first.”