Jobs on the line as Lambeth council looks to save a further £15m

By Grainne Cuffe, Local Democracy Reporter

Scores of Lambeth council staff could lose their jobs in the coming years as plans for a £3 million restructure are in the works.

Looking at the council’s financial planning report on Monday, cabinet approved proposals for more than £15 million in extra cuts over the next four years (2021 -2025).

This is added to the previously agreed cuts of £28 million from 2020 to 2024.

The council is also forecasting an overspend of £43.2 million this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with significant pressures in residents’ services, adult social care, and children’s services.

Government funding has not covered the whole sum, leaving a gap of £10 million.

Officers have laid out best and worse-case scenarios related to Covid-19.

“The gap in best case C-19 is £13.435 million, further adverse movements are expected under worst case C-19 which takes the gap to £26.621 million,” according to the report.

Redundancies are on the cards, with a £3.1 million ‘whole council structure review and redesign’, a £170,000 cut to education staff, a £150,000 cut to the facilities management team, a £147,000 cut to customer service staff, a £200,000 cut to the finance team, and a £42,000 cut to payroll team.

Concerns were raised by the overview and scrutiny committee over jobs losses.

Chairwoman Councillor Liz Atkins said: “We fear that the council restructure could mean the loss of staff experience and expertise and have an adverse effect on service delivery and on low paid and black, Asian and ethnic minority staff.

“That’s why we urge you consult with and empower staff throughout the review process, both via the trade unions and directly,” she said.

Pictured top: Lambeth Town Hall