Norfolk spurns UNISON alternative to cuts‏

Despite UNISON urging Norfolk County Council to rethink plans to cut £2.8m from its Connexions careers service, council leaders look set to press ahead with the plans. http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/eveningnews24/norwich-news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=xNews&itemid=NOED31%20Aug%202010%2008%3A13%3A32%3A703

The council is moving towards a web and telephone-based service, while offering a reduced amount of one-to-one support. UNISON produced an alternative package which would see the cuts reduced to 30 jobs by bringing the changes forward to the current financial year, and taking £700,000 out of reserves.

Jonathan Dunning, UNISON Norfolk branch secretary, said: “Our proposals mean Connexions will be left in a state where it can still be a credible service.
“The current proposals, we believe, means it will struggle to deliver the level of service to Norfolk's young people, because it seems to be relying on a web-based service. That won't reach some of the young people in parts of Norfolk where the broadband service is poor and access to computers is limited.”