Plan B Forum

Councils have spent the last year recruiting hundreds of people to 'non-jobs' while claiming government cuts have forced them to cut frontline services.


Despite the fact the public sector has been ordered to make cuts, a survey has found local authorities have created more than 4,000 new posts since the last election. Councils have advertised for posts such as 'Healthy Walks Co-ordinator', 'Woodfuel Development Officer', 'Active Women Officer' and 'Gypsy Romany Traveller Community Cohesion Officer'.Eric Pickles, the Communities Secretary, slammed the appointment of an army of climate change, communications and equality officers as 'self-indulgent' and 'irresponsible' at a time when public finances were under strain.

And he blamed Labour councils for 'politically-motivated' cuts ahead of next month's local elections. But his criticism was blunted by the revelation last week that David Cameron was advertising for his own non-job - a 'Twitter tsar', who will receive £142,000 to boost the government's online presence.

Local authorities up and down the country have been closing libraries and sacking lollipop ladies, claiming the financial squeeze made this unavoidable. The survey shows that most councils are reducing staff. But a total of 205 have created some 4,148 new posts since last May. Jobs include 'walking co-ordinators', 'obesity strategy officers' and 'active' workers, whose job it is to persuade the public to take more exercise.

Cash-strapped council rebrands Brixton riots as an 'uprising' (and funds the 30th anniversary 'celebrations')

AND HERE'S A NON-JOB SELECTION FROM THE PAST YEAR:

Woodfuel Development Officer, West Sussex – up to £35,430
'Operate as a stimulus for the expansion of the woodland products market and to make a substantial contribution to the establishment of a wood fuel supply chain.'

Healthy Walks Co-ordinator, Forest of Dean – up to £15,444
'Promote and increase physical activity levels through healthy walking… targeting the socially-excluded, the inactive and people living in areas of high deprivation. Ensure all duties… are carried out with due regard to health and safety practice and equal opportunities procedure.'

Family Lifestyles Officer, Rugby – up to £21,519 pro rata
'Reduce childhood obesity in various ways including the provision of evidence-based structured nine-week family-based workshops promoting the benefits of exercise and nutrition.'

Life Skills and Positive Activities Officer, Ryedale – up to £21,500 pro rata
'Assist the promotion of positive activities and healthy lifestyles to… those residing in temporary accommodation. Provide practical assistance for basic living skills such as washing, ironing, cleaning and shopping.'

Gypsy Romany Traveller Community Cohesion Officer, Hertfordshire – up to £26,276
'To create in Hertfordshire an environment where different communities, the traditionally nomadic and traditionally settled, live in harmony.'

Workplace Travel Plan Co-ordinator, Havant – up to £22,221 pro rata
'Raise awareness of transport issues and the alternative means of accessing and providing services to both staff and customers.'

New Media Improvement Assistant, Perth and Kinross – up £17,587
'Support the development and operation of the council's website and intranet in line with the council's Corporate New Media Strategy'.

Project Support Officer (Voice of My Own), Scottish Borders – up to £21,136 pro rata
'Video empowerment project aimed at, and led by, young people aged between 11 and 25. It combines creative film-making with social inclusion aims.'

Active Villages Co-ordinator, Teignbridge - £10,228
'Provide long-term sustainable sports participation opportunities.'

For example, Labour-run Hastings Council in East Sussex has increased parking charges, closed public toilets, cut the budget for lifeguards and allotments, and reduced opening hours at a museum. But it has created 25 jobs, including three 'active women officers' to get women involved in netball, athletics, cycling, badminton, rounders, tennis and swimming – claiming this will save the NHS money in the long run by reducing ill-health.

Tory-run Charnwood Council in Leicestershire has appointed a member of staff to encourage asylum seekers and ethnic minorities to get involved in nature conservation projects. At the same time, they have increased charges on public lavatories and are planning job cuts. And Anglesey Council, where no party is in overall control, has decided to sack 16 teachers and 48 council staff. Yet it has found the money to appoint an 'age friendly communities' manager to make the island nicer for the elderly; a walking and cycling officer; an 'Energy Island programme office administrator' to promote renewable energy; and a 'community conservation officer' to run a 'green gym' in which people are encouraged to plant trees.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1JBRmoHvT

Healthy Walks Co-ordinator, Forest of Dean – up to £15,444
'Promote and increase physical activity levels through healthy walking… targeting the socially-excluded, the inactive and people living in areas of high deprivation. Ensure all duties… are carried out with due regard to health and safety practice and equal opportunities procedure.'

Social work in East Sussex – a breathtaking opportunity

* Social Workers/Senior Practitioners – Children's Services
* Social Worker Opportunities – Adult Social Care
* Working with children
* Working with adults
* Staff benefits for social workers in East Sussex

We currently have vacancies for both Social Workers (up to £34,303 per annum) and Senior Practitioners (up to £38,306 per annum).

[I think the ones listed in the article are only part-time jobs, in social service]

* Job vacancies

We're always looking for qualified practitioners in both Adult Social Care and Children's services. If you're interested in any specific post, please apply online. Look under Job type: Care/Social Work.

Healthy Walks Co-ordinator,