A money-saving recruitment freeze at Bristol City Council has caused fears that a lack of back-office staff and managers could affect elderly people in care homes.
Several vacancies will remain open across the council, in a bid to stop departments spending more than they have budgeted for. Social care, temporary housing, and improving education are predicted to have collectively spent millions over budget by March 2023. Frontline care home staff will be exempt from the freeze.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees faced questions about how recruitment controls could impact on vulnerable people who rely on council services, at a cabinet meeting on September 6. He then criticised Councillor Heather Mack, Green group leader, and said the council couldn't afford to “float off in the clouds” with its approach to budgeting.
