Council considering cost-cutting measures

Orkney Islands Council is considering a number of cost-cutting measures that could see a reduction in terms and conditions for some of the local authority’s lowest paid workers.

They include proposals to reduce overtime as well as overtime payments, night shift and weekend allowances, and call-out payments.

There is another proposal not to implement a one per cent pay increase in April 2017, which alone would save the council £430,000.

According to a source, the council is also considering an enhanced voluntary redundancy scheme which, generally, applies only to senior posts.

In a statement released today, OIC chief executive Alistair Buchan said: “In common with other councils, we anticipate having significantly reduced government funding with which to provide services in the years ahead.

“There’s a number of unknowns at the moment but potentially we may have to address a funding gap of around £9.5 million over a three year period from 2017 to 2020.

“We have to consider all areas where we might save money and staffing costs has to form part of that.

“We’re having to look at our spend on overtime, shift allowances, standby, sleep-in and call-out payments because we currently spend around £2 million on payments of this kind each year and any savings we can make will help reduce the need to cut jobs and services.”

Mr Buchan added: “This is of course a matter of concern for our staff and we are approaching it in a careful and planned way and would stress that we’re just considering options at the moment and no definite decisions have yet been taken.

“We are involving our recognise trade unions in discussions around these issues.”