COUNCIL staff will continue to deliver care to vulnerable people, a top politician has said.

Clr Andrew Palfreeman was responding to comments by Kirklees Unison secretary Paul Holmes.

Earlier this week the union leader told the Examiner that councils were facing an “absolute crisis” in recruiting younger workers.

Mr Holmes predicted that Kirklees would have to contract out some care services to cope with the staff shortage.

But Clr Palfreeman, the council’s Cabinet member for corporate services, denied this was the case.

He said: “Kirklees is recognised by the Audit Commission as being one of the very best employers among the 400-plus councils in the country. This enviable reputation sees us as being an employer of choice in the region.

“As a progressive employer we support employees throughout their working lives and do not see people simply in terms of their age.

“This means we have a number of approaches to recruitment – particularly young people – training and retention of staff. We do not envisage particular problems in being able to deliver services to the residents of Kirklees.”

Mr Holmes had also praised the council for training more skilled workers.

Clr Palfreeman said: “I am pleased to see that the Unison official acknowledges and supports the efforts we are putting into skills training in trades such as electricians, plumbers and masons, and the craft apprenticeships.”