Council cultural department set for job losses

A department restructure, which includes the theatres and museum, could see the loss of 18 full and part-time posts, alongside the creation of 13 new paid roles.

Negotiation with union representatives is underway as part of a 30-day consultation with staff.

A council spokesman said: “This process is not about cuts to the arts – far from it – as recent performance and the continued backing and investment from Worthing Borough Council has shown.

“What we will achieve is a more focused organisation that is increasingly able to deliver what the community and audience want, whilst still working within increasingly challenging financial constraints and reducing the funding deficit year on year.

“By bringing theatres and the museum together, we foresee greater economies of scale and ‘cross pollination’ between the town’s significant cultural assets.”

The spokesman confirmed three of the 18 jobs affected related to museum staff.

He could not comment on the precise details of the changes in job roles due to the ongoing consultation with staff.

He added this was part of a council-wide review of all its departments.