Aberdeen City Council today entered the next phase in the transition to the new Target Operating Model (TOM), which was approved in August 2017.
The Council is transforming the way it does business to better meet the needs of the people it serves, whilst ensuring financial sustainability.
The next phase in the move towards the TOM relates to a proposed reduction in posts agreed by the Strategic Transformation Committee in February.
A commitment to no compulsory redundancies underpins the approach.
Those who may be impacted by organisational change are being notified of the proposals and will have an opportunity to make their own representations before any decisions are made.
It would not be appropriate to comment on the number of posts that might be affected whilst formal consultation is taking place with trade unions and with individual staff members.
Angela Scott, chief executive of Aberdeen City Council, said: “As Aberdeen City Council moves towards its new Target Operating Model, work has been carried out in relation to a reduction in posts as agreed by the Strategic Transformation Committee in February.
“This work is based on areas for change identified by Chief Officers and managers, with the aim of creating more efficient service delivery to enable the Council to improve the way it fulfils the needs of those it serves and to meet required financial savings of £10.378m for 2018/19.
“Employees who may be impacted by this workforce change are being notified of the proposals in their area of the Council and have received an explanation of the consultation process with trade unions and individuals, who will have the opportunity to consider the rationale and make representations.
“The Council's focus at this time is on its duty of care to staff and it would not be appropriate to comment on individual cases or specific service areas whilst formal consultation is taking place.
“A commitment to no compulsory redundancies underpins the approach being taken and minimising the potential impact on individual members of staff has been a priority throughout, with full support and advice being offered to all employees affected by proposed changes.”
The union consultations will run from 17-30 April and individual consultations over the first two weeks of May. Taking into account the responses, a formal decision will then be made on each of the affected posts.
There will continue to be opportunities to fill vacancies for posts needed to deliver the TOM and where traditionally there have been staffing shortages, such as in teaching, HGV driving and Early Years Practitioners.
Anyone who is displaced as a result of post reduction will be assisted in exploring these opportunities, which could include retraining or utilising existing skills and knowledge in another capacity.
The Council employs approximately 8,500 staff.