HIGHLAND Regional Council yesterday imposed a freeze on hiring staff
which will last at least until April.
The council said this was neccessary because the Government will
effectively be cutting the cash-grants payable to Highland for the
coming financial year.
The ban means that no new staff will be taken on to replace any
council workers who retire or leave for jobs with other local
authorities.
Scottish Secretary Ian Lang told the council recently that its cash
grant for next year will be the same as for the 1993/4 period.
Finance chairman Peter Peacock said yesterday this amounted to a cut
in real terms because no allowance had been made for inflation.
He said the freeze on jobs was neccessary to protect services, as
there was a danger of money running out before April if all departing
staff were immediately replaced.
He added: ''Highland has had the poorest deal of any of the Scottish
regions from the Government.''
The cash crisis is also expected to mean that the council tax in the
Highland region is likely to be increased beyond the rate of inflation
next year.
Some teaching post will escape the Highland ban because the council is
legally obliged to preserve a certain teacher/pupil ratio in its
schools.
Last week Grampian region imposed a month-long freeze on recruitment.
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