A union has warned Angus Council it is in danger of “ripping the heart out of local arts” with prospective budget cuts.
GMB Scotland has criticised the local authority’s decision to review the posts of museum and gallery staff, despite a full calendar of events booked for the coming year.
Senior management at the council’s arms-length trust, Angus Alive, have started a consultation process and told the staff affected to expect a decision on their future by December, after the council imposed a budget cut of £36,000.
The GMB said the council “reneged” on its originally agreed cut of £16,000 — but the local authority said no decision has been reached.
Almost 600 staff working in leisure centres, swimming pools, museums, libraries and other facilities moved to the trust on December 1 last year.
It is understood five members of staff may be affected.
Council chiefs gave an assurance that there are no plans to cut posts under the new arrangement.
The union said the affected staff, with more than 80 years of experience in design and exhibition between them, have been “pivotal” in the growth of the arts in the Angus area, particularly at the Meffan Institute in Forfar.
The gallery/museum has gained a fine reputation in the arts community and houses local artefacts.
GMB organiser Helen Meldrum said: “It makes no sense to impose these cuts when the trust has a full year of exhibitions confirmed and will require the expertise of the staff to ensure its success.
“We’ve been told by Angus Alive that the £14,000 figure is a legacy cut, agreed prior to the trust taking responsibility for local culture, sport and leisure services but nobody can give us any answers on why that amount has now more than doubled.
“Our members care deeply about their work and the reputation of the arts in Angus.
“They have delivered an incredible public service of national renown for next to nothing but now the council are in danger of unravelling this for a relatively meagre saving.
“GMB Scotland is calling on Angus Council to think again as they are in serious danger of ripping the heart out of local arts.”
A spokesman for Angus Alive said: “A service review is currently ongoing to address a legacy budget saving which was already committed prior to the establishment of the trust.
“No decisions have been reached and we will consult with employees and their union representatives during this process.
“Should any reduction in employees or employee hours be necessary, we would hope to achieve this through voluntary redundancy or early retirement.
“Staff would also be eligible for redeployment.”
