EXCLUSIVE

by Alan Watkins

awatkins@thekmgroup.co.uk

Only five jobs will disappear this year under revised plans revealed to staff yesterday at cash-strapped Gravesham council.

Dozens of managers and workers had faced a bleak new year in the dole queues.

Now it appears their jobs could be safe at least until 2013.

The council's new administration has been getting to grips with a massive black hole in its £13.7 million.

It was caused by staff staying instead of moving on to other councils, plus drops in car park and planning income (against 26% expected rises) and investment income (34% rise budgeted).

The 546 employees met with Cllr John Burden (Labour council leader for the past six months), David Hughes (chief executive since August) and directors at meetings in the Civic Centre yesterday afternoon expecting bad news.

Instead, they were told only five jobs are to go this financial year - and those facing the axe could be retained and retrained if others retire or move to other jobs.

Drivers and shoppers face the burden of increased parking charges after Christmas and the reintroduction of Saturday parking charges, while developers and builders will have to pay for more advice from council planners.

The cabinet will meet on November 14 to agree a new budget for the current year to turn round a projected £1 million overspend.

However, finance bosses still have a long way to go following government austerity measures, and the transfer of more responsibilities to councils.

They are searching for ways to permanently cut £3 million a year from their spending plans.