Connexions Budget Cuts August 2010

Connexions Budget Cuts August 2010

As you are all aware in May 2010 we had a general election which gave us a new coalition government. When this happens it normally means we have a change in policy and more often than not those changes have an impact on organisations that work in the public sector.

Connexions Cheshire and Warrington has been affected by the new government approach to reduce spending. Our budget has been seriously and dramatically cut by the local councils as part of the savings they need to make. £1.76m (yes million!) must be saved from our budget between now and April next year.

What will it mean for young people?

We are reorganising our teams and many employees have taken a temporary 10 % reduction in the hours they work. This will help us to save money and this will hopefully save 15 front line delivery staff.

Despite this approximately 75 staff will still be made redundant. This means that we will continue to offer services but at a much reduced level as we will have around 35% less Personal Advisers.

For example: • There will be cuts in the number of staff employed to provide Careers Advice in schools colleges and special schools. • Some youth clubs will have reduced opening hours and sadly some may have to close • After 21st August the Connexions Centres will no longer be open on a Saturday. • On a positive note we are also looking at different ways to deliver our services including the introduction of an online advice line ‘Ask Patrick’ later in the year.

What can I do about the cuts?

If you are worried about losing the Connexions services you use, or have some good ideas for future service delivery talk to your Youth worker or Personal Adviser.

Contact : Steve Hoy Chief Executive Connexions Cheshire and Warrington Ltd. 01606 305200 steve.hoy@connexions-cw.co.uk