A COUNCIL is laying off dozens of staff due to funding pressures during the coronavirus pandemic, amid fears that other local authorities may follow suit.
Some 73 workers at Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council are to lose their jobs.
The council said it has faced an "unprecedented financial challenge" due to significantly reduced revenues following the closure of public facilities.
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It said there has been "no confirmation of any additional funding being provided to councils from government" and the UK-wide furlough scheme is not expected to be used by local authorities.
The body representing councils last night renewed calls for Stormont to give local authorities "direct funding immediately".
In a statement, Antrim and Newtownabbey council said: "Given our reduced operating requirements, it is proposed to decrease by 73 the number of agency and short-service staff, that are not essential to the operations of the council at this time. These proposals are subject to trade union consultation.
"We recognise that this will have a significant impact on those directly affected and it is not a decision that the council has taken lightly.
"However, having exhausted other options, the council believes this urgent action is required to ensure financial stability as it streamlines services within a declining budget while safeguarding our front line services and maintaining future rate rises at an affordable level for residents."
Natalie Shiel from the union Nipsa said those affected are lower paid workers in leisure services and administration.
She called on the council to do more to examine the potential of furloughing staff or using its financial reserves to protect jobs.
"I don't think they're fighting hard enough for alternatives," she said.
Ms Shiel said those affected include around 40 staff who have been contracted with the council for less than a year.
She added: "How much of a saving this is going to make getting rid of 70 lower paid workers, rather than looking into furloughing across different pay grades, is debatable."
The council said it has been examining its budget "as there is no confirmation of any additional funding being provided to councils from government".
It added: "The UK-wide furlough scheme for staff, is not expected to be used by local authorities unless certain specific situations apply. In the event that we are eligible, it is likely that this will only cover a small percentage of the current budget gap.
"This means that we need to immediately take action to balance our budget and help secure our long-term future, as the current situation is unsustainable."
There are concerns that more of the north's 11 councils are considering laying off staff as a result of the health crisis.
The Northern Ireland Local Government Association (Nilga) said councils are facing "short and long-term financial pressures like never before".
The Department for Communities, which has responsibility for councils, did not respond to requests for a comment.
