COUNTY bosses have pledged to work with trade unions after calls to stop hundreds of redundancies.

Hampshire County Council said it will continue to review its decisions – but stopped short of halting redundancies amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The news comes after the Hampshire branch of Unison – which represents county council employees – urged the authority to make a u-turn amid claims the council intends to continue with scheduled redundancies.

It follows plans approved last year to save £80 million by 2021 putting more than 220 jobs at risk.

Unison has also asked the council to halt all sickness-related sanctions and disciplinary procedures.

Hampshire Unison branch secretary Callum Williamson said the council cannot meaningfully consult staff and service users over changes which could see people lose their jobs, at a time when people are unable to meet in person.

He also said that if sanctions and disciplinary actions will continue to be implemented, council employees would continue to go to work despite being ill, fearing there could otherwise be repercussions in the future.

A council spokesman responded: “The well-being of our workforce and the wider community that we serve is core to our decision making during this exceptional period of time.

"All of our employees have been kept updated with the actions they need to take should they become sick with the virus or have to self-isolate. We take all decisions relating to our staff seriously and in line within clearly defined processes.

"We will continue to review future decisions in relation to all HCC business in light of the current situation and will engage with our staff and our trade unions as appropriate and necessary.”

* By Maria Zaccaro (Local Democracy Reporter)