THE leader of Worcestershire County Council says 250 new workers will be recruited over the next year - offsetting "several hundred" expected job losses.

Councillor Simon Geraghty says he is anxious to make County Hall an attractive place for new talent, insisting it is not doom and gloom.

The Conservative, who took over as leader in February, says across the departments around 250 new jobs will be up for grabs.

In May 2014 the authority launched a controversial new operating model aimed at commissioning as many services as possible to outside providers.

The stated target was to hand over up to 85 per cent of its functions, which would lead to 1,500 in-house job losses, by 2018.

That would leave around 2,000 non-schools full-time equivalent staff, with the council currently around halfway to meeting its target.

Councillor Geraghty said: "Some people might think this organisation is shrinking and that we don't want to be an 'employer of choice', that we don't want people to work here.

"I'm trying to give a more balanced perspective on that, otherwise people will perceive this council as shrinking.

"We need to tackle that perception that we don't want the very best people here."

Speaking during a full council meeting, he said "clearly, there will be several hundred jobs going as well" under the changes in the new operating model.

Labour group leader Councillor Peter McDonald said: "You've failed to look after the local economy - that means job creation, not job destruction.

"Why isn't he creating jobs instead of destroying them?"

He also criticised the use of volunteers, saying the council is now "relying on them" to plug gaps in services.

But Councillor Geraghty cited last year's figures showing how Worcestershire was the third fastest-growing economy in England.

"In terms of the economy we have one of the fastest growing economies in the country, so I do not agree with you," he said.

He added that he felt getting people to offer more help to communities "should be encouraged, not condemned."

During the debate Councillor Stephen Peters, an independent, said: "I see we want to recruit 250 people next year, but where will all these people park?

"In recent weeks at County Hall the parking has been absolutely chaotic."

Councillor Geraghty said: "We have increased the parking and I believe we'll increase it again.

"This is about the management of it - there isn't an instant solution, but it is something we're aware of and need to keep on top of the best we can."

The forecasted savings requirement for the 2017/18 financial year is a record £34 million.