Sandwell Council chief 'sorry' for jobs axe

A Black Country council chief issued a public apology over slashing 150 jobs, telling protesters: "I was given no choice".

Sandwell education boss Councillor Bob Badham issued the apology ahead of a meeting to discuss the planned redundancies from children's services held behind closed doors yesterday.

Plans to axe the 150 staff were announced last week and backed at the meeting.

A 30-day statutory notice period has now begun.

Protesters demonstrated outside the meeting, where education boss Bob Badham apologised to the 200 gathered on the steps of the council house in Oldbury, telling them: "I am really sorry about some of the decisions we are having to make."

Those to lose their jobs include staff working in children's social care, the youth offending team, primary and secondary school consultants, Connexions staff — who work with teens — and other support posts.

It emerged today a £13.4 million black hole has op-ened up in Sandwell Council's children and families service as a result of Government cuts and lost grants.

Lost or axed grants alone will see £8.6m taken from the budget under the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor Badham added: "I felt I had to speak to the staff to explain to them what the situation was. I am sorry for what is happening but we have no choice. At the end of the day the plans to lose the jobs went through.

"When you have £13.4 million taken from your budget almost instantaneously there are difficult decisions to make."

Brian Rickers, spokesman for Unite the union, said: "We feel these cuts are too much, too quick and far too radical. They will cripple communities.

"Councillor Badham can apologise as much as he wants, but it doesn't change anything. These staff will still lose these jobs.

"We will keep fighting and keep protesting."