A question mark is hanging over the future of a council run employment training centre.

Brentwood Borough Council has instigated a major report on the Brentwood Training Centre in Essex Way, Warley, as part of its desperate drive to save money.

The centre itself employs 11 full and part time workers who are facing a period of uncertainty as they wait for council members to make a decision.

Jobs at the council have already been slashed through voluntary severance packages.

Chief executive Bob McLintock has reiterated that there are no compulsory redundancies at this stage.

The borough estimated spending £10.286 million for the current financial year but now have to save £386,000 in order to hit their target of £9.9 million.

Next year they must strive to meet the same spending target of £9.9 million while absorbing the cost of inflation.

Residents are facing a Council Tax hike. Essex County Council alone is seeking a 16.7 per cent increase.

The review of the Brentwood Training Centre was discussed in private by Brentwood Council's policy board.

Its operation was estimated at £80,000 in the financial estimates for 2002/3.

Members were informed of "continuing negotiations" in relation to the possible linking of the Brentwood Training Centre with the Mid Essex Adult Community College at Bishops Hill.

Chief executive Bob McLintock said last week: "There is a review ongoing on the future of the centre."

He said: "There is a report to make and you can't say what is in the report too early. Clearly members will have a view. If members disagree it would be wrong to cause unnecessary strain and difficulty to staff."

A UNISON spokesman at Brentwood Town Hall said the union had no further comment to make at this stage.

Published Friday, February 7, 2003

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