Antrim and Newtownabbey Council seeks voluntary redundancies to cut salary costs

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council is seeking voluntary redundancies in a bid to reduce salary costs as part of a revised organisational structure, councillors have been told.

A report on the matter was presented to members during a closed session at last month’s council meeting.

According to the minutes, 66 formal voluntary severance applications have been received to date, with applications being considered on a “phased approach”.

Six applications have already been reviewed.

The process began after the council’s April meeting, when expressions of interest in voluntary severance were invited. Each application will be assessed on the basis of “operational requirements, financial impact and service continuity”.

“The severance and redundancy policy has the intention of reducing council’s salary costs, whilst maintaining the highest standards of service,” the minutes state.

“This policy therefore provides opportunities for the council to manage salary costs, re-design structures, better align services and ultimately deliver service improvements and enhanced services to customers and ratepayers.”

Councillors were also informed that the revised organisational structure would take into account the council’s commitment to a pay and grading review.

A spokesperson for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said:

“The council has agreed a voluntary severance and voluntary redundancy policy. The council has not approved any target for voluntary severance. Expressions of interest have been sought from employees.

“There is no guarantee an application will be accepted – applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, considering financial, operational and service continuity. Compulsory redundancies have not been considered.”