TEN members of borough council staff are at risk of redundancy as part of a raft of cuts to services to balance the authority’s budget.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council carried out a review of staffing between December 14, 2020 and January 22, 2021 which includes making 10 members of staff redundant.

These would be from seven different departments including Children, Young People and Families; Healthy Communities; Traveller Liaison; and Print Services.

Other proposed cuts include outsourcing the town’s B-Love festival and scrapping the Centre Shuttle, which runs from the Leisure Park to Basing View, via the train station.

The council has also proposed to increase council tax from April, meaning residents will have to pay around £56 more a year if plans are approved.

The cuts are in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, which BDBC has estimated will cost almost £6million in 2021 to 2022. This includes more than £1m in unplanned costs and almost £5m in reduced income.

A report prepared for a full council meeting on February 25 - when the plans will be discussed - says: “As a result of the pressures that Covid-19 has placed on the delivery of services, achievement of planned savings and the need to change the way that services are delivered, a revised budget for 2020/21 was agreed by council on 15 October 2020.

“This report also addresses, where possible, the likely immediate and longer-term financial impact that Covid-19 will place on the council.”

A consultation on the proposed redundancies has been held with staff and teams directly impacted. A total of 25 staff responded, including one response from Unison.

A public consultation was also held on the plans.

The report said the redundancies are “proposed with a view to maintaining essential service provision to residents”.

Concerns were raised through the public consultation about the impact of the changes and making redundancies “at a time when it is difficult for people to find work”.

The report said: “In accordance with the council’s Redundancy Handling Policy, the council’s aim is to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible.”

It added: “However, where this is unavoidable, the council will deal with the issue in a fair and equitable manner.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s cabinet member for finance and service improvement Cllr Hannah Golding said: “Although we have a history of strong financial management, we have had to make some difficult decisions to ensure we can continue to fund our services, including our support for non-statutory services delivered by our partners, in 2021/22 and ensure we are well placed to prepare for the borough’s future.

“Our proposed budget, which will be considered by councillors on 25 February 2021, includes proposals to remove a small number of staff posts. This includes the removal of a number of vacant posts which has allowed us to minimise the number of current staff at risk.

“This is not a decision that has been taken lightly and we have been, and continue, to support all staff directly affected by the budget proposals to seek suitable alternative employment within the council.”