A TOTAL of 44 compulsory redundancies along with 128 voluntary redundancies and early retirements cost Bury Council a total of £1.4 million over the last year.

The local authority has blamed the Government for contributing to the rise in compulsory job losses during 2011/12.

The figures were given at the latest full meeting of Bury Council in response to a question by Conservative councillor Bob Caserta, who asked how many council staff had been made voluntarily and compulsorily redundant since May, 2011, and the cost to the local authority.

Cllr Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “During 2011/12, there were 44 compulsory redundancies and 128 voluntary redundancies and early retirements.

“In 2011/12, the total cost of these redundancies to the council amounted to £1.4 million, compared with £1.8 million when the former Conservative administration was in control.”

He added: “Full details of the numbers and costs of redundancy are detailed in the annual statement of accounts published by the council.

Cllr Isherwood said particular reviews agreed by the former Tory administration resulted in an increased number of employees facing redundancy.

He said: “I am pleased to advise that 31 employees were successfully redeployed into other roles in 2011/12 as a result of this administration’s commitment to job protection,” he said.