Proposals to tackle a budget shortfall at Bradford Council will have a significant effect on the people of the city, UNISON warns today (Wednesday).
The council has a large budget shortfall and needs to find savings of around £120m in the coming months if it is to avoid issuing a section 114 notice, which essentially means it declares itself bankrupt.
UNISON says the structural changes being prepared to achieve this over the next couple of years will have a profound impact on the services residents rely upon.
The union understands the first phase of the council’s restructuring will see dozens of staff put at risk of redundancy.
UNISON says Bradford, and other local councils across the country, are in such a perilous financial position due to more than a decade of cuts to local government funding by the Conservative government.
UNISON Bradford branch secretary Linda Crowther said: “Vital services have already been stripped back as a result of years of underfunding for local councils. The people of Bradford have already suffered and it’s due to get far worse.
“The first phase of the restructure will see changes to waste sites, the closure of Ingleborough Hall, an outdoor children’s recreational centre, and cuts to revenue and benefits staffing. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.”
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Michael Parkinson said: “Like other councils across the country, Bradford has already seen staff levels slashed. But these services can’t run on thin air.
“Communities rely on the council to provide vital services and they’ll be the ones who suffer from this restructure.
“The blame for this situation lies in Westminster. Central government has continued to gouge away at financial support for local government.
“UNISON is urging the council to hold fire on any significant changes until after a general election. Hopefully a Labour government will offer better support to navigate the difficult period ahead.”
