Second council approves job cut plans
A second Devon council has approved plans to axe nearly 100 jobs by working more closely with a neighbouring authority.
West Devon Borough Council voted 27 to two in favour of a new staffing model, which will also see jobs go at South Hams District Council.
The councils are facing a combined budget shortfall of £4.7m because of government cuts. The changes would save about £3.8m a year, they said.
Unison has criticised the plans.
As part of the proposals, a new website is to be created for people to access the councils and their services.
The authorities added that a smaller workforce would reduce the need for office space and staff could work in different parts of the districts.
West Devon leader Philip Sanders said the "changing world in which we live means that we must move with the times".
He added: "It is regrettable that there will need to be some redundancies.
"However, we anticipate that these will be minimal as the natural turnover in staff during the period of implementation will allow us to manage the transition sensitively."
South Hams councillors voted to approve the plans - which could see up to 97 posts lost - last week.
After South Hams' approval, Unison said staff would "be concerned for jobs" and it was concerned about the "impact this will have on services".