THE reduction of up to 130 full-time equivalent posts at Scottish Borders Council over the next financial year has been described as “a positive story” by leader David Parker.

The 34-member council, with a current of workforce of 4,487, yesterday (Thursday) approved a reduced revenue budget of £262.3m for 2016/17.

“We are looking at ways of doing things differently in order to address a potential funding gap of £29m [over the next five years].”

He insisted his council, despite “considerable financial challenges”, was in a better position than most Scottish local authorities as a result of the efficiencies it had already achieved by transforming its structure and the way it did business.

“The City of Edinburgh Council is set to shed 2,000 jobs because of budget pressures and if we had not taken the measures we have taken, we would be looking at 600 jobs going at this council.”

However, he said some impact on SBC staffing levels was “inevitable”.

“The council has been preparing for potential staff reductions by holding around 300 vacancies and this, alongside a natural staff turnover level of 9.77 per cent, will contribute to a managed reduction of the workforce without impacting on existing staff wherever possible…and minimise the need for compulsory redundancies where possible

“Out of our total workforce, an estimated 130 less job opportunities through the use of existing vacancies, natural turnover and early retirement/voluntary severance is actually a positive story given the current economic climate and the very challenging times that local authorities are facing.

“It is unfortunate our extremely well-managed reduction in posts, so as to avoid, wherever possible, actually impacting existing staff, has not been reported in this way and has led to criticism of the council and concern in the local community.