82 posts have been identified for potential redundancy.  146 employees have, therefore, been identified as ‘at risk’. The council has now entered into a formal 30 day period of consultation with staff and recognised unions   This will allow time for the proposals and impacts to be considered in more detail.  It will also provide staff the opportunity to offer suggestions or propose alternatives to generate the necessary savings; hopefully reducing the need for compulsory redundancies.  Where possible, staff will be offered alternative employment within the council, and applications for voluntary redundancy will be invited. During the 30 day consultation period, affected services will continue as normal.  Where service changes are being proposed, service users will also be consulted where necessary. Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, said: “This is a decision which has been reached with much regret, and which has been a consequence of the extreme financial position which the council faces over the coming 12 months and into the future.  The council is offering a lot of support to colleagues who may be affected, but regrettably, it seems some jobs will be lost, although we will work hard to minimise the extent and effect of this .” The timing of any proposed service changes will vary and service users will be consulted about any potential changes in advance.