Staff briefed on cuts ahead; 14% already
saved
Wychavon have been running staff briefings on
the state of public finances with senior officers answering
questions from staff about the uncertain times ahead. The briefings
follow their budget summit for leading members and senior officers
where work to date and the size of the challenge was set out.
Wychavon have beaten Government efficiency
targets and already achieved £1.8million (14% of the overall
budget) efficiency savings in the last few years, but the message
was that far more would be expected so all budgets are being
scrutinised.
Jack Hegarty, Managing Director
said “While the emergency budget prepared us for further
considerable savings, it's not until 20 October, when the
Comprehensive Spending Review is announced that we will know the
full extent of the cuts. We’re currently working on 25% cut in
Government grant (equivalent to around £2m per year) and it’s
important to us that staff and residents are kept well informed
during the process to ensure they’re prepared when the time comes
and decisions need to be made.”
However, in the meantime Wychavon has been
looking at all budgets closely and asking staff for their 'ideas
for savings' which will compliment the budget consultation that
Wychavon ran for residents last year.
The ideas for savings scheme has been up and
running for a number of years, finding considerable ways for the
council to be more efficient, but a re-launch was necessary to
generate even more ideas.
The re-launch at this time has renewed staff’s
enthusiasm to contribute, knowing that good ideas in one place
might protect services elsewhere. Many of the ideas are in line
with the budget consultation that was reported in the Wychavon
magazine, also available online.
Jack continued “As previously
reported we are rated one of the top councils nationally for value
for money. We have already exceeded Government efficiency
targets through shared services, business improvement and better
procurement. We know there are tough choices ahead and getting our
staff involved and contributing is critical as they know the
services best. It’s essential that we work as a team to weather the
storm ahead and continue to provide good value services for our
residents.”
Work will continue in preparation ahead of the
20 October and the budget report which goes to the Executive Board
on 30 November.
For more information on how we're
making budget decisions click here.
