COUNCIL personnel chiefs hope to persuade older staff to retire early to make way for younger people to replace them.

Chief executive Aubrey Fawcett has sent a message to all of his employees about a new proposal which will be put before councillors next week.

The policy and resources committee will consider a 'refresh scheme' which is part of a wider £6m 'Jobs Recovery Plan' to help stimulate the local economy and increase employment opportunities in the area.

The deal would see older staff - who make up the vast bulk on the local government payroll - agreeing to leave in exchange for incentives including early access to their work pension pot.

Meanwhile the wider plan also includes proposals for new apprenticeships, opportunities for graduates, additional funding for employer wage subsidies and extra backing for local businesses.

The initiatives would be paid for using money from Municipal Buildings reserves.

Top official Mr Fawcett says that the refresh programme is designed to create vacancies within the local authority, which as the biggest employer in the area currently has 4,109 people on its books.

Over three quarters of them live in the district and 29 per cent are aged over 56, compared to just five per cent under 25-years-old.

The proposal would allow employees in targeted, entry-level lower graded positions to 'leave the council with up to three added years with early access to their pension'.

A redundancy payment would not be made, as the posts would not be deleted.

Mr Fawcett said: "The refresh programme would be promoted as a new policy and time-limited to cover the financial period 2021/2023.

"Unlike previous voluntary severance ‘trawls’ this scheme would involve employees who meet the criteria being allowed to leave and by leaving opening up a vacancy to create a new employment opportunity for the local community.

"Discussions have taken place with the corporate management team and trades unions on how the proposed scheme could work."

The proposal will be discussed by councillors at a meeting on November 17.