Aberdeenshire Council pledge to minimise job losses in budget

Aberdeenshire Counil have approved the local authority's revenue budget for 2021/22.

In the meeting, councillors pledged to minimise compulsory redundancies for their north-east staff.

They had to find £24 million for the upcoming year and opted to avoid cuts by adapting a policy of "natural wastage". 

It means they are likely to not replace staff who retire or leave but will "train and upskill" their current employees to fill the empty roles. 

Councillor leader Andy Kille said: "Every resident in Aberdeenshire will feel the the benefit of this budget, the investment we're making today will reach every corner of the wards we represent." 

It was understood they had originally planed to make savings by trimming its workforce - a move criticised from union bosses. 

More than £12 million is coming in from increased business rates with £4.7 million in a one of payment from the Scottish Government for freezing council tax. 

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