Title

HUMAN RESOURCES

Wiltshire proposes £10m staffing budget cut

Wiltshire Council has proposed to cut £10m from its staffing budget over the next two years in response to a ‘challenging financial situation’.

Wiltshire Council has proposed to cut £10m from its staffing budget over the next two years in response to a ‘challenging financial situation'.

The largest proportion of the cuts will be made through the removal of vacant posts and managing turnover.

However, the council admitted that around £2.1m relates to changes in terms and conditions.

Council chief executive Terence Herbert insisted the cuts were necessary for the local authority to balance its budget.

He said: ‘We are legally required to set a balanced budget and, given the challenging financial situation ourselves and all local authorities are facing, we have had to make difficult decisions to deliver savings to bridge the budget gap.

‘All the budget proposals we've put forward are not because of any overspend but due to a number of factors including the ongoing impact of the pandemic, the demand for services, rising inflation and ensuring we are on the strongest financial footing possible over the long-term.'

The council is currently discussing the proposals with the recognised trade unions and hopes to reach an agreement by April.

HUMAN RESOURCES

From FOMO to focused

By Andrew Walker | 17 November 2025

Councils need clear, structured AI strategies. To get it right, forget hype or hesitation, say Rohit Lekhi, Matthew Simons and Andrew Walker.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Shared power, shared Pride

By Helen Power | 17 November 2025

If the Government’s Pride in Place funding model can be operationalised in a way that kickstarts meaningful collaboration between communities and councils ‘t...

HUMAN RESOURCES

A new government front door for local impact

By Bramwell Blower | 14 November 2025

Bramwell Blower asks if the Government’s new Office for the Impact Economy can help business and local government partner together.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Review finds council failures ahead of Sara Sharif murder

By William Eichler | 14 November 2025

Children’s services in Surrey failed to identify abuse suffered by 10-year-old Sara Sharif before her murder, a safeguarding practice review has found.

Popular articles by William Eichler