Up to 650 council jobs are being axed at Leeds City Council – because of ‘lower government grants and the economic downturn'. However, the council said it planned to create 200 new posts, giving a net loss of about 450 positions from its 33,000-strong workforce. There are not expected to be any compulsory redundancies. City council joint-leader, Richard Brett, said: ‘It is regrettable that we've had to consider our options around the size of our workforce, but we are in an almost impossible position.' The authority is proposing a 2.9% increase in the council tax for 2009. Elsewhere, Coventry City Council has confirmed it plans to close 190 posts and increase council tax by 3.7% in an effort to meet a shortfall of £13m.