JOBS are to be lost at a borough council as cost-cutting plans are announced.

Copeland Borough Council has confirmed that a number of staff members will be made redundant to help make crucial savings.

Union Unison claims that as many as 28 jobs are to be lost but Copeland Borough Council has not yet confirmed this figure.

The cuts will affect support services, which are non-customer facing roles, but the union believes they will still have a huge impact on residents.

Unison regional organiser Jenny Martin said: “Council services are already under pressure after years of government cuts to budgets. If these cuts go through the remaining staff will really struggle to cope.

“The council’s proposals show very little understanding of the services. They have strange ideas about staff going round the borough in taxis doing multiple jobs. Staff have suggested alternative ways of saving money but these have been ignored. The council’s plans would prove inefficient and unsustainable in the long term."

However, the council has rejected the claims, branding them "untrue", and says it is disappointed by the union's response.

A spokesman said: “The statements that have been made are simply inaccurate and untrue. There are no plans to have staff travelling around the borough in taxis.

"All responses from staff have been looked at carefully and considered.

"Copeland Borough Council is very disappointed at the engagement and indeed the response by Unison during the Support Service Review process.

"Copeland Council has received no formal written response from the trade unions and there has been no alternative proposals on how monies can be saved."

Unison has stated that its members have rejected the proposals in a ballot and is now calling for the council to rethink its plans.

Mayor of Copeland Mike Starkie said he is committed to delivering a valuable service for people across the borough.

He said: “I came into office and promised in my manifesto that I would carry out a full financial review of the council.

"Out of the 104 jobs that have been looked at during the Support Services Review, fewer than five are being made compulsorily redundant.

"I want a 21st century organisation delivering 21st century services to our deserving residents across the whole of Copeland."