PLANS to merge Suffolk and Norfolk probation services will result in posts being lost, it has been revealed. At this stage there are no details of the number of posts that could be lost once the two boards combine, however any positions that become vacant in the next few years will not be replaced.
PLANS to merge Suffolk and Norfolk probation services will result in posts being lost, it has been revealed.
At this stage there are no details of the number of posts that could be lost once the two boards combine, however any positions that become vacant in the next few years will not be replaced.
John Budd, Suffolk Probation Area Chief Officer, said any possible redundancies would be 'further down the line'.
All probation boards in England and Wales must apply to become Probation Trusts by April 1, 2010. The boards of Norfolk and Suffolk decided they could most successfully achieve trust status by submitting a joint application.
If successful the merger will mean both counties will share human resources, finance, the chief executive and other operational roles. They maintain that frontline services will be protected as much as possible.
Mr Budd added: 'My biggest challenge is to ensure the same level of service is maintained in Suffolk.
'I am focused on being an excellent provider of probation services for the victims, courts, communities and offenders in Norfolk and Suffolk.
'It is an opportunity to think about the best way to do this. We are looking to the future.
'We do know that the savings that are required over three years will make it very difficult to do what we do now. The problem with the public sector is that it is not immune to economic pressures. We are assessing our costs.
'It is more accurate to say that posts will be lost, rather than jobs. People leaving the company for good reason or those retiring would not be replaced.
'If we do have to look at redundancies if would be further down the line.'
The shape and name of the merged organisation will be worked out over the next year. The two services already have much in common, with similarities in size, structure, culture and levels of performance.
A spokesman said: 'It is not clear at this stage whether there will be any job cuts as a result, but frontline operational jobs will be protected as much as possible.'
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