Consultation launched on further £8.7 million of council savings

Bury Council is holding a second period of consultation as it strives to find a further £8.7 million in budget savings. 

Under its Plan for Change, the council approved in February 2012 a budget which contained savings of £17.7 million by 2015. However, revised forecasts mean that the authority will have to find £26.4 million over this period instead.

Cllr Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “The position has worsened significantly since the original programme of savings was launched 12 months ago.

“A series of government funding changes has hit our budget, from business rates to council tax benefit, not to mention paying for another council tax freeze. This, and increasing demands for services, means we have to find a further £6.4 million in 2013/14 and £2.3 million in 2014/15.

“Bury has always been a poorly-funded council but, despite this, we have delivered excellent services. However, this means that our room for manoeuvre is limited and it is clear that the savagery of the cuts we face means that service changes and further workforce reductions cannot be avoided. We are committed to protecting as far as possible our frontline services and look for every possible efficiency saving.”

The lion’s share of the proposed cuts, around £14 million, will come from internal efficiencies. These include reducing buildings and energy costs, not filling vacancies, and changes to staff terms and conditions.

A further £3 million will be saved due to decisions already taken, leaving the remainder to be found from service budgets. Savings targets have been based on the ten priorities identified in the council's Choices Consultation last year, in which thousands of people in Bury took part. Proposals cover a wide range of service areas, including school transport, day care, children’s centres, street cleansing, highway maintenance, car parking charges, parks and sports facilities, libraries, and community involvement.

Have Your Say:

1)    View the proposals online and submit feedback at www.bury.gov.uk/planforchange

2)    Email planforchange@bury.gov.uk

3)    Write to Plan for Change, Bury Council,Knowsley Street, Bury BL9 0SW.

4)    Call 0161 253 7931.

Deadline for comments is 10 January 2013.

Cllr John Smith, deputy leader of the council and cabinet member for corporate affairs, said: “Over the past year we have worked hard to implement the Plan for Change and make the savings we agreed at budget council in February 2012. We do not want to take a “slash and burn” or a quick fix approach, but plan for the long term.

“We will continue to be open and transparent, keeping people informed as we develop a range of savings options to ensure that the council provides value for money for the taxpayer at a time of unprecedented financial challenges. We would urge all our residents to get involved and let us have their views on our proposals.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 28 November 2012.