Strike action threat for council

A union has has threatened industrial action over cuts to Nottingham City Council's budget.

A meeting of the council's executive board on Tuesday approved plans to make up a �20m deficit, which includes 350 posts being cut.

Jean Thorpe chair of Nottingham's Unison union said: "Industrial action... in my view would be the only way to stop all of the cuts."

The council said protecting frontline services was a priority.

'Improved child protection'

A children's home could close as part of the plans along with two libraries and three daycare centres.

There are also plans to reduce opening hours at Nottingham Castle, Newstead Abbey and parts of Wollaton Hall as part of the proposals.

Eleven hundred workers have been told they are in a pool of people who could be made redundant.

Ms Thorpe said: "We've got lots of meetings with members - many are shell-shocked but others are angry and want to fight back."

Council bosses have said despite financial pressures they would be investing in core services.

Graham Chapman, deputy leader of the council, said: "What we are doing is taking large numbers of managers and backroom staff out in order to pay for improved child protection and for people with disabilities.

"This budget is geared towards the caring services. There's a whole range of people who are getting, as a group, millions of more pounds as a consequence."

The proposals now need to go before full council.

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