Northern Ireland

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council reveals £75,000 furlough saving

Anne Donaghy, chief executive of Mid and East Antrim council
Anne Donaghy, chief executive of Mid and East Antrim council Anne Donaghy, chief executive of Mid and East Antrim council

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is saving £75,000 per week by furloughing staff due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council put 212 workers on furlough following the closure of services during lockdown.

The sum was revealed after councillors queried why committee meetings will not resume until August.

A report to council stated: “We have furloughed the maximum number of staff and are managing service delivery around this approach on a weekly basis.”

Alliance Larne Lough councillor Danny Donnelly asked for confirmation that all committee meetings will be “up and running” in August.

TUV councillor Matthew Armstrong said: “A lot of the country is back to work full steam. I think we should be.”

His party colleague Councillor Timothy Gaston said: “I propose we move to full committee meetings in August.”

This proposal was seconded by Councillor Donnelly.

Chief executive Anne Donaghy reported that the council is saving £75,000 weekly by furloughing staff.

“I have furloughed over 200 staff and that hurts,” she said.

She indicated that the value of the scheme would be “diminished” by staff returning to work before October when the scheme ends.

“It is about trying to balance the books.”

She indicated that some staff have been allowed to take holidays during the “traditional holiday months”.

She pointed out that the council has never had committee meetings in July.

She said that the council’s Planning Committee and Audit Committee will meet in August.

Alliance Larne Lough Councillor Robert Logan commented: “We understand what the chief executive is saying about saving money but we want to get back on-stream full time.”