Shropshire is “very, very lucky” it has not had its own Baby P case because of growing workload pressure on council staff and funding cuts, it was claimed today.

The fears were voiced by a Shirehall union leader amid growing concern over changes to the employment terms and conditions of Shropshire Council workers, and fears for the future of key public services as the authority looks to make savings of nearly £60 million over the next three years.

Lou Gladden, assistant branch secretary of Shropshire Unison – which represents the majority of council workers – claimed services were already at “breaking point” and highlighted pressures in children’s care.

“It is a flip of a coin as to whether we get a Baby P in Shropshire,” said Mr Gladden.

“We are very, very lucky, that we have not had something like that in Shropshire.”

Baby P – 17-month-old Peter Connelly – died in London in 2007 after suffering horrific abuse. The case led to the launch of three inquiries and a nationwide review of social service care.

An emergency special meeting has been called by Unison on Wednesday at Shirehall to discuss cuts to terms and conditions, and consider what action to take.

The council has a jobs freeze and chief executive Kim Ryley has said it needs to reduce the size of the workforce. It is looking to reduce management overheads by 20 per cent.

In a recent report to cabinet on the need to transform the way the council operates, Mr Ryley spoke of plans to create a more flexible, multi-tasking organisation, “getting more from less” from staff and continuing to improve their productivity.

Mr Gladden said: “We need to take the temperature of staff, find out what they don’t like, and what they are prepared to do about it.”

Jackie Kelly, the council’s head of human resources and development, said: “The unions are well aware of the huge challenge we face in saving £60 million over the next three years, and with most of our spending being on staff wages and salaries, these costs need to be reduced.”

By Dave Morris