Croydon council to cut more than 100 jobs to combat £67 million hole in budget

By Tara O’Connor

Many staff at Croydon Council will be going into Christmas not knowing whether their jobs are safe.

In the wake of a Section 114 notice, declaring effective bankruptcy, the council is set to make a series of cuts including more than 100 job losses.

It follows severe cuts in the summer which saw the council get rid of 400 posts.

Secretary for the Croydon branch of UNISON, Yvonne Green, said members are devastated at the news.

She had a meeting with the council’s interim chief executive on Monday to discuss what the cuts could mean for staff.

At this stage the council is looking at cutting 42 jobs from the place department; 58 from children, families and education; 12 from health, wellbeing and adults and 18 from the resources department.

She said: “Staff are very, very angry and feel let down, it is also the cost to the residents.

“I wasn’t surprised to hear the council had issued a Section 114 notice but I was very sad. I’ve lived and worked in Croydon most of my life, everyone is absolutely devastated.

“We had a demonstration in August about the previous cuts, I suspected that there would be more but I didn’t expect it to be so soon. One cut is one too many.

“We are waiting to receive a proposal in early December, once we get that hopefully we will know what it means for staff.

“They are approaching Christmas not knowing whether they’ve got a job.”

Tonight the council will set out a series of measures to save money in the coming years.

As well as job cuts services will face changes including libraries, leisure centres and parks.

Councillor Hamida Ali, leader of the council, said: “We know some of these choices will be incredibly difficult and we are committed to working with our staff, partners and residents, keeping them informed and involved every step of the way.”