ALMOST 50 council workers could be made jobless and refuse collection privatised in Ceredigion as part of shock proposals from consultants.

Unions are up in arms over major changes to Ceredigion County Council’s technical services department put forward by PricewaterhouseCooper in a bid­ to save almost £2.5m.

Under threat are 50 council staff and nearly 90 more jobs could be transferred to private companies.

The consultants are suggesting the council scales back street cleaning and parks and gardens maintenance and privatises refuse collection.

PWC say: “If the proposals were actioned then there would be a reduction in the number of staff. both professional and back office staff, as the budget to support work-related activity decreased­.

“The current level of service being­ delivered would be pared back in some service areas as the budget was reduced, which in turn would require less management and fewer operatives.”

But union officials fear services will cost more and there will be a drop in quality. Owain Davies, the Ceredigion branch secretary for UNISON, said: “In addition to the obvious detrimental impact upon our members who work in those services, these proposals would also, we believe, result in the long-term costs of those services increasing, sharp reductions in service standards and a loss of democratic accountability and control.”

Councillors are due to discuss the proposals today, Wednesday.

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