AT LEAST 15 jobs could be cut at Ribble Valley Council as councillors struggle to make budget savings of more than £400,000.

It would be the first time in the 22-year history of the council that jobs have been cut in this way.

Members of the policy and resources committee meeting will be told tomorrow night that staffing costs make up 75 per cent of the council's budget.

And after cuts in services and management costs have been identified, job losses could be the only way to make up the deficit.

In a report to councillors, members have been told that every effort would be made to minimise the impact but that the majority of the redundancies would have to be compulsory.

Staff have already been asked if they are interested in early retirement or part-time working but there has been little response.

Council leader Chris Holtom said: "We are very proud of the fact that we have never had to make compulsory redundancies in the past and I pay tribute to the very high standard of staff at the council.

"However, we find ourselves in the position where we have to make quite considerable savings.

"We take the view that the customer always comes first and that means the best possible level of service has to be maintained and we are endeavouring the deliver once more the lowest possible increase in council tax.

"The budget working group which consists of equal numbers of Conservative and Liberal Democrats and officer support has been working on the budget since November and recommendations will be put before the policy committee tomorrow with details of the savings possible in each council department.

"The whole situation has caused us great concern and we are very sad about it."

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