PUBLIC service union UNISON this morning said members working for Somerset County Council were “shocked and horrified” to hear through the media that 700 of them would be losing their jobs by next April.

Helen Eccles, regional organiser for UNISON South West, said: “Not only will 700 staff be losing their jobs but the services they deliver will be lost to the people of Somerset, services like road maintenance, social care, education, youth services, library services and transport.

“UNISON believes that staff and services users shouldn’t find out about their future employment or services as they drive to work.

“This isn’t the first time that Somerset County Council have treated their staff with such disregard. “In September Ken Maddock, Conservative leader of the council, announced through the media that a range of services would be cut, with the loss of 1,500 staff.

“We believe the council should be consulting with their staff and service users first.

“We are told this is because of the cuts agenda of central Government, however, these announcements come ahead of the council finding out the details of the budget that they will receive from central government.

“We must also remember that Somerset County Council decided to freeze council tax last year, and have stated they will do so again in the next financial year, piling further misery on to the people of Somerset as they lose valuable services.”