A UNION representing Swindon Council workers has said some of its members are considering leaving their jobs because of repeated cuts.

Unison has said that because of increased pressures and a freeze in wages many are looking at working for a different employer because they can no longer cope.

For a number of years, there have been repeated cuts from central government which has led to more than 100 redundancies at the council.

The situation is not likely to improve as further government cuts has meant that more savings are needed in the next financial year.

Speaking to the BBC, Unison’s Gavin Brooks said: “As committed as they are to delivering services for communities, at the end of the day they have to think about their own financial situation. They can see other jobs in the area that are paying the same, if not more, that they could do and some are starting to look to vote with their feet.

“Who’s going to come in and fill those gaps if they are created, because you can’t keep cutting pay in real terms for these jobs and expect people to go into them as a career?”

Council leader David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick) says while he does not know directly if workers are unhappy, he accepts they are under more pressure.

He said: “We have carried out a staff survey and from that we are speaking to staff more.

“We have fewer people so I can understand why they are feeling under pressure but they are committed to delivering for the people of Swindon and proud of their job.

“But as a council we have a legal responsibility to sign off a balanced budget so we have to make tough decisions.”

Compared to last year, Swindon Council has had to find almost £18m in savings because of government reductions.

While much of those savings have been announced in December’s draft budget through prior decisions, lower than expected government grants have left council looking to find just short of £2m in extra savings.

These are set to be announced at the cabinet meeting early next month.

Coun Renard said: “We have already taken decisions on many for next year’s budget which have already been reported.

“Following the announcement from the government which was less than expected we have been left with a funding gap of £1.66m.

“Those savings will be announced in a few weeks.”