A total of 59 applications have been received by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for voluntary redundancy.
The local authority has proposed 68 redundancies in a bid to make financial savings of £3.3m.
The workforce is being reduced “to address the substantial budgetary pressures it faces” as a result of the Covid pandemic.
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council estimated that it would earn £52m through rates income.
However, the local authority is anticipating a drop in business rates of 35 per cent and a loss of £0.5m in domestic rates. Earned income is expected to reduce by £8m in this financial year.
Behind closed doors, last week’s meeting of the borough council was told “every effort continues to be made to identify opportunities for staff cost reductions including recruitment freezes (allowing recruitment for only essential posts), minimising the use of agency staff, and reducing overtime expenditure”.
The council agreed that of the 59 applicants for voluntary redundancy, 26 are employed in roles potentially at risk of redundancy.
It was proposed that these be approved along with any further voluntary severance applications that “mitigate compulsory redundancies being approved”.
Members were reminded that the council currently has 33 vacant posts that are being held as “potential suitable alternative employment options”.
The Department for Communities has permitted severance costs to be spread over four years.
An enhanced redundancy payment was approved.
