News from Westminster Labour

Sixty more jobs axed by Conservative Westminster Council

Sixty more jobs are to go in Conservative Westminster as the Council slashes its City Guardians and City Inspectors in an attempt to fill the £20 million hole in its budget caused by a massive decrease in parking fine income and the continuing effects of investing £17 million in now-failed Icelandic Banks. In 2009 the Council made 300 jobs redundant in order to cut costs.

The City Guardians work closely with the Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams to improve community safety and tackle anti-social behaviour. The City Inspectors deal with problems such as litter and dog fouling.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the Labour Group, said:

“Another 60 jobs are to go because of the Conservatives’ financial incompetence and failure to balance the books. This financial crisis has ‘Made in Westminster’ stamped all over it. The Conservatives have failed to keep to the budget they set 12 months ago. They have invested £17 million of Council Tax payers’ money disastrously. And they have ruined the working lives of hundreds of long-serving staff.

“Fewer City Guardians and City Inspectors will mean fewer people patrolling the streets, fewer people tackling anti-social behaviour, more litter and a poorer environment.”

Other news from Westminster Labour

• Westminster Labour calls for an 'outbreak of democracy' over election of new council Leader - 2 February 2012
• West End Commission – open letter to Westminster's Chief Executive - 21 January 2012
• Residents pick up £1m bill for Westminster's parking fiasco - 19 January 2012