Over 250 jobs at National Resources Wales (NRW) are at risk as they try to reduce their staff budget to save £13million.
An environment body has warned it may have to make cutbacks including job losses amid “exceptionally tight” funding limits. Natural Resources Wales insists any staffing shake-up will be kept to a minimum but Plaid Cymru called the news “deeply concerning”.
NRW sent an email to staff on Wednesday telling them of the plan to reduce the staff budget by 1 April 2025.
Visitor centre Coed y Brenin near Dolgellau, Gwynedd and Nant yr Arian and Ynyslas centres, near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, will close at the end of March 2025 if the changes are made.
The organisation said that “this has put all staff at all VCs (visitor centres) at risk of redundancy from today, subject to the future outcome of the consultation. Trails, access, carparks, and toilets would all continue on site.”
It said a “meaningful consultation” was under way with trade unions but the proposal would remove 265 posts.
Clare Pillman, NRW’s chief executive, said in the statement: “Public funding is exceptionally tight across the whole of the UK. As such we are having to look across all of our remit and critically review what we can and must continue to do, what we stop, and what we slow or do differently to fulfil our corporate plan ambitions.
“This is no different to any other public sector body at the moment.” Action has already been taken, she added. “We have already taken significant steps to reduce our financial pressures, such as tighter recruitment controls and reducing use of agency and temporary contracts, and this is helping to safeguard permanent roles.”
“We are currently looking at options for managing our remaining pressures and this includes our staffing structure. We are aiming to mitigate job losses as much as possible.”
A 45-day staff and unions consultation is underway and NRW said it would try to reduce redundancies. The agency was unable to provide any detail on how many of the potential job losses could affect forestry.
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A 45-day staff and unions consultation is underway and NRW said it would try to reduce redundancies. The agency was unable to provide any detail on how many of the potential job losses could affect forestry.
Plaid Cymru called the risk to jobs “deeply concerning”. Climate change spokesperson Delyth Jewell MS said: “This news is deeply concerning – not least because of possible job losses but also the effect this could have on NRW’s vital role in managing Wales’ natural resources, tackling environmental crimes, and leading the fight against the climate and nature emergencies. The work NRW does is of critical importance. It’s clear that all publicly-funded services and bodies are under immense pressures and are being asked to do more for less.
“We must now seek urgent clarity on how staff will be supported during this period and ensure that unions are being consulted. It’s also imperative that the Labour Welsh Government seek to understand the consequences of any decisions on operations.”
Forestry in Wales has been going through a particularly difficult time in recent months and many contractors and merchants are concerned by the lack of support shown by NRW towards productive forestry.
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