WORKFORCE costs are set to be “significantly” slashed at Torfaen council as the local authority weathers the impact of multi-million pound Government cutbacks, a report warns.

Only a minority of core-funded employees are expected to lose their jobs within the organisation, which employs nearly 4,000 people, according to the council report. But the financial austerity is expected to create an “increased level of anxiety” about job security. Staff will also need to become comfortable with “constant change” as the size of the workforce shrinks, the Torfaen council report warns.

The Government spending cuts, expected to reach around £30m in the next three years, also mean that some service areas will need to be re-shaped and others scaled back, the document reveals.

“Workforce costs will inevitably come under increasing pressure and will need to be significantly reduced during the period to 2018,” states the report set to be circulated to councillors tomorrow [December 17]. “It is anticipated that although only a minority of our core-funded employees will be directly subject to job loss, most of our workforce will experience an increased level of anxiety about their job security, something which will need to be addressed proactively by the council.”

Torfaen council employed 3,983 staff, including more than 1,800 in schools in October, the Workforce Planning report shows.

"Forward-looking leaders" will be needed to make sound decisions based on evidence in a manner that balances risk and innovation, the document shows.

The report also reveals the council’s priority will be to treat staff fairly, do its best to protect jobs and support employees through the difficult times ahead.

In the document, the council indicated that it was committed to enhancing its existing partnership with unions as this approach offers the best chance of success.

The report states: “We do not yet know what our workforce will need to look like in 2018, but the projected £30 million reduction in the council’s budget by that time means that everyone within our workforce will need to become increasingly more adaptable and comfortable with constant change as the size of our workforce shrinks.”

The Workforce Planning report is to be circulated to members of the Torfaen council resources and corporate business overview and scrutiny committee at Pontypool Civic Centre on Thursday.