Liberal Democrats attack increase of 500 in staff numbers at County Council

12.00.00am GMT Thu 18th Feb 2010

Liberal Democrats have today called for an urgent review of staffing numbers at Suffolk County Council as they highlight the shock increase of more than 500 staff in the last year.

270 of these are in the Children and Young People's directorate, and relate mainly to staffing of children's centres which are supported by government grant. However a further 235 are in other departments, with the vast majority apparently in office jobs rather than frontline services.

Commenting on these shock figures Liberal Democrat group leader Kathy Pollard said, "This council, like all councils, is staring over a financial cliff edge from 2011. One would therefore expect a budget that prepares for this. What we have instead is a budget that sees the council enjoying the last of the sunshine rather than hunkering down for the long winter ahead. It shows that the Conservatives have taken their eye off the ball and are not managing the council's finances in a competent manner."

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Resources and Finance Andrew Cann said, "Whilst the Tories have talked tough on reducing waste and inefficiency at Suffolk County Council today they pay 500, or 10%, more employees to do the same things as 5 years ago. Over the last four years employment in back office functions has increased by 200, bringing no direct benefit to taxpayers, whilst the County Council has cut 160 people from Adult Care - directly effecting those most vulnerable. The Conservative record in running SCC is one of securing the jobs of the chiefs whilst sacrificing the Indians who actually do the work."