Consultation launched on £16 million budget cuts

Council leaders in Bury have launched a public consultation on plans to cut £16 million from next year’s (2015/16) budget.

They also warn that these unprecedented levels of cuts will mean that the council has to change the way it provides services, with more being done online and by residents and communities.

Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, said: “This is the most financially challenging time that the council has ever faced.

“Because of huge reductions in our Government grant, and increased demand for vital services for vulnerable adults and child safeguarding, we now have to cut a further £15.8 million from our next budget. This means we have had to cut £54 million since 2011.

“As ever, we will try our hardest to protect front line services and find more efficient ways of working – but this is becoming increasingly more difficult.

“We are now at the point where less money inevitably means fewer staff; in fact, we’ve lost more than 400 employees since 2011 due to the cuts. This leads to service reductions, alternative ways of delivering services being explored, increased waiting times and/or reduced quality of service and limits to what we can afford to do as a council.”

Cllr Connolly has written a letter to every household in the borough spelling out the grim reality of the
council’s financial situation.

He added: “In future, the council will not be able to meet all the public’s needs or expectations or be able to deliver services at the current levels.

“We will need to work with individuals and communities to encourage them to undertake more for
themselves. The council might, for example, provide facilities or equipment but residents may have to organise events, maintenance or provide support. This is what has already happened in areas such as self-management of bowling greens, football pitches and play areas and, more recently, with the Park Rangers’ service. 

“We also need to manage demand for services. A successful example of this would be to encourage
more recycling, which reduces our waste disposal costs and saves money for other important council services. We are also looking at having more services online, rather than face-to-face, in the same way that many people will already be familiar with by using the internet to shop, bank or book holidays.” 

How to have your say

Residents are invited to have their say on the budget options by 9 January 2015. The budget will be set on 25 February 2015.

All the documents can be read online at http://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=0

Comments should be emailed to Budget201516@bury.gov.uk or you can call 0161 253 5696.

You can also write to us at Budget201516, Bury Council, Knowsley Street, Bury, BL9 OSW to leave your comments or request a hard copy of the proposals.

Budget presentations will also be given at the upcoming round of Township Forums:

 
• Radcliffe – 6 November, Radcliffe Civic Suite


• Prestwich – 12 November, Longfield Suite


• Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor – 13 November, Tottington Methodist Church


• Whitefield and Unsworth – 18 November, Elms Community Centre


• Bury West – 19 November, Bolton Road Methodist Church


• Bury East – 24 November, Mosses Centre
  

ENDS

Press release issued: 6 November 2014.

Note to editors:

The budget proposals for 2015/16 are in these areas:

Alternative Service Delivery Models - £3.42 million. We will develop new models of service delivery to ensure that service outcomes are maintained. This will include new approaches to staffing and the use of buildings.

External Funding Optimisation - £3.376 million. We will maximise the benefit to the council from new and existing grant funding opportunities.

Grants to the Voluntary Sector - £0.2 million. We will review how the council operates with the voluntary sector, reviewing grants to ensure that key outcomes are achieved.

Income Generation - £2.012 million. We will further develop existing income streams and identify new sources of income.

Increased Recycling - £0.862 million. We will continue to develop the refuse collection service so that recycling rates are optimised, reducing costs for the council and benefitting the environment.

Managing Assets - £0.726 million. We will continue to review our asset base ensuring the optimum use and financial return.

Procurement Savings - £1.32 million. We will review the way we buy goods and services and continue to strive for best value.

Reduced Provision - £0.662 million. Given the scale of cuts facing the council, it is inevitable that some services will be reduced in quality, frequency, or even cease altogether. Where this happens we will work closely with service users to identify alternative means of provision.

Staff Restructuring - £3.229 million. Staffing is a significant cost for the council as most of our services rely on people to deliver them. Equally, staff are our greatest asset, and we rely heavily on commitment and goodwill at times when budgets are being cut. We will continue to review staffing structures and ensure that operational processes are as efficient as possible.

Total - £15.807 million