BCP COUNCIL’S cabinet has approved a report which says up to 622 full-time equivalent roles could be lost as part of its ‘transformation’.

The report produced by the KPMG organisation also discussed possibilities regarding the siting of the workforce and the possibility of a central hub.

The council’s cabinet meeting heard yesterday from Cllr Philip Broadhead, whose Overview and Scrutiny Board had questioned leader Vikki Slade about the future of the council’s main location.

“She did give some indications of what she would like to see, particularly around the idea that a new building might not be the best way to go,” he told the cabinet.

However, Cllr Mark Howell, who was chairing the meeting, said: “I think it’s important, with regard to the new hub, that we make the right decision and not be influenced by the perceptions of how certain members of the public might jump and say we shouldn’t have a new building because that’s ridiculously expensive.”

The KPMG report said: “It has been believed for some time that one of the most significant barriers to the successful creation of a ‘one council’ way of working and culture will be the extremely diverse asset base – perhaps most importantly, the principal office locations.”

Yesterday’s meeting agreed to the proposals outlined, to cut hundreds of jobs and create a single ‘hub’. It means the review can move to formal consideration and discussion.

However, following a heartfelt plea from Jon Hartley of the Unison trade union, the cabinet indicated they would be fully involved in the discussions.

Chairing the meeting, Cllr Howell said the opportunity to save between £22m and £26 million had been identified and that there would be a one off cost of £21-£29 million associated with that.

“It’s anticipated that the core back office services will be delivered from a single hub and then there will be face to face services delivered from offices or some kind of facility in communities,” he said.

Chief executive Graham Farrant said the transformation would have a ‘long agenda’ and that the hub location would not be an ‘instant decision’. “We have to get the environment and culture right, it’s going to be a three to four year decision,” he said.

Cllr Andy Hadley was concerned about ‘optimism bias’. “It will take two or three years for the benefits to come through,” he warned.