Plan for Change 3: Consultation now live for additional £2.2 million for 2014/15

Bury Council is now in the third year of its Plan for Change Savings programme.

Last year, the council approved a budget which would deliver £7.4 million of savings in 2014/15. However, due to central government making further cuts in the money it gives local government, an additional £2.2 million will need to be found for next year.

In order to protect frontline services as much as possible, the council is looking to “internal efficiencies” to provide the bulk of the savings by doing things differently, using new technology and reducing procurement costs.

Councillor John Smith, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for finance, said: “The council has faced unprecedented cuts over the past couple of years and the Government’s decision to take more money from Bury is yet another hammer blow for local democracy.

“We are being forced to cut back when we all know that demand for services is rising; there are calls nationally for better standards in care, protecting children and adults and the environment, and resources are having to be diverted to help some of our most vulnerable residents because of other Government policies such as the bedroom tax and cuts to council tax benefit.”

The council launches its public consultation on these savings on Thursday 14 November and is taking feedback until January 17 2014 when the consultation closes. This allows time for any amendments to be made before Budget Council on 19 February 2014 when the savings will be approved.

There are many ways you can see what the proposals are and have your say:

1)  Go to your local township forum during the consultation – you can find all details of venues and timings in your area at www.bury.gov.uk/townshipforums

2)  Go online at www.bury.gov.uk/planforchange  to read more information

3)  Email us at planforchange@bury.gov.uk

4)  Call on 0161 253 5696

Cllr Mike Connolly, leader of the council, said: “The scale of this cannot be under-estimated. By 2015 we will have taken out what amounts to 40% of our controllable budgets, and it doesn’t stop there. In 2015/16, Government projections indicate that we will have to cut a further £16 million, way beyond what can be absorbed by efficiency savings. This means some very difficult decisions will have to be made about the availability, quality and delivery of services that many people have become used to.

“I have written an open letter to residents of the borough giving them an early warning of this deeply grave financial position and asking for them to play a part by helping us to reduce our costs and by fighting for a Fair Deal for Bury. It is too early to say what cuts we will have to make to balance our budget for 2015/16 but we will consult you as soon as we can on the options – and what these will mean to the people of Bury and council staff.”

“We all want a vibrant and viable borough and, despite some very difficult financial circumstances, this continues to be our focus. As councillors we came into politics to make a difference and support our communities. This hasn’t changed. The situation just means that we will need to look again at how we get there.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 14 November 2013.