Council seeks to furlough 350 staff

As things stand, Council claims it is facing “severe financial losses” of “approximately £620,000 per month” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mid Ulster District Council hopes, that if accepted for the scheme, Council’s losses could be offset by “£280,000 per month”.

The Council has also confirmed employees who are furloughed will not lose out financially.

Following confirmation from Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey MLA that councils could avail of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, a spokesperson for Mid Ulster District Council confirmed Council is to apply to the scheme.

“We are assessing the impact of the Coronavirus on our finances and exploring how that financial loss can be best mitigated,” said a Council spokesperson.

“Council currently has no plans to reduce services due to the financial pressure associated with COVID-19. The Council is to apply to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help offset its severe financial losses which stand at approximately £620,000 per month as a result of the pandemic.

“A total of 350 staff, the majority of whom work in the leisure, culture and tourism service, are to be furloughed and none will suffer any financial detriment.

“If the application is accepted, the Council’s current losses could be offset by approximately £280,000 per month.”

Speaking about the decision to apply to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Martin Kearney, said taking the opportunity to mitigate against the losses was prudent and in the interest of ratepayers.

“Councils across the board have been dealing with mounting losses,” said the Council Chair.

“Particularly with the closure of leisure and cultural facilities, and we anticipate even greater financial challenges in the future with the likely shrinking of our rates base.

“In implementing the scheme, the Council is being financially prudent, demonstrating a commitment to minimising the impact of the pandemic on our ratepayers and helping to protect employment.

“Ultimately the scheme will benefit both the organisation and our residents.”

The Council also confirmed there are “no current plans to implement any further changes to staffing”.

Speaking about councils’ eligibility for the scheme, Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey said: “I can confirm that councils are eligible to apply to furlough staff through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

“My priority has been to ensure the rights of workers are respected and to protect jobs.

“This is a very difficult time for everybody. Our eleven councils provide very important functions and services, continuing to do so during this emergency and looking ahead councils need to be ready to play their part in the economic recovery.

“I am pleased to be able to provide clarity about this issue and most importantly, to ensure that council workers jobs are protected.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you.