STAFF shortages at Eastleigh council have resulted in a reduced service to the public, a leading councillor has claimed

Tory leader Councillor Godfrey Olson called for the powerful council executive to deplore the situation - and give it some urgent consideration.

Speaking to executive Cabinet members he said: "I'm sure it is of concern to everyone that we do have such a considerable turnover of staff - a 17 per cent annual turnover is unsettling and disruptive. I don't believe the only factor is wages. I think staff want to feel that they are valued, they are doing a worthwhile job and that there are good prospects and security."

He added that it wasn't encouraging for staff when the authority regularly had an underspend in the staff budget which was then spent on other services. He said: "We are constantly being told that when we want things done there is not the staff to carry them out."

Eastleigh currently has 28 out of 403 office posts vacant and 11 of 88 depot jobs unfilled. Councillor John Caldwell asked: "Why is it that this council appears to have a greater number of job vacancies than others?"

However, Lib Dem council leader Keith House said: "Eastleigh is not unique. Every local authority is facing a high turnover of staff and facing difficulties in selected areas of recruiting staff."

He said it was a symptom of issues such as full employment and pressures on the housing market which meant many people couldn't afford to live in the area.

But he added: "The resources scrutiny panel has done a lot of work to look at staff."

Councillor Margaret Kyrle said a council development group was also working on various staff issues such as personal development and stress management.

She added: "I would say we are working towards relieving the big turnover."