FOLLOWING the publication of a reader's letter in the Mercury last week regarding potential job losses at North Somerset Council, the authority has now submitted

FOLLOWING the publication of a reader's letter in the Mercury last week regarding potential job losses at North Somerset Council, the authority has now submitted the following answers to questions asked by ourselves and our correspondent under the Freedom Of Information Act:Q: How many 'at risk' letters have been sent out to employees likely to lose jobs? A: None, at this stage.Q: How many unfilled/vacant posts will be counted as part of a 'jobs cut' exercise? A: As many as possible, when we begin to implement the changes proposed in the 2008/9 budget.Q: How many of these job cuts will be people volunteering or taking early retirement? A Volunteers: None. Early retirement: As few as possible.Q: Initially the estimate for job cuts was 200 posts, now it is 97.4 - why the variance? A: The reduction of 97.4 full-time equivalent employees relates to the budget proposals for the financial year 2008/9 only. It is anticipated that there will be further implications for jobs as a result of having to close a significant budget gap for 2009/10.Gary Shipsey - Records and Freedom of Information Assistant, North Somerset Council