The Cabinet decision item 4 - budget savings

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet today, Monday 6 September, identified savings of £383,000 for this financial year after a spending review.

The savings are genuine cost reductions brought about by ongoing efficiency improvements and cost reductions, not service cuts. They include £25,000 recycling credits for better than anticipated waste recycling; not filling vacant posts when they arise; changes to the Street Cleansing contract giving further savings of around £60,000 and a number of other savings. Many of the savings have been achieved already and the rest will be in place by the end of the financial year.

Councillor Stephen Gray, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "We are a prudent Council and we want to focus on the things that matter to local people.  The spending review we have been carrying out will enable us to continue to deliver the same level of services in future, despite an uncertain economic climate.

"The Coalition has made it clear that Local Authorities must expect substantial reductions in Government grant next year. Although the scale of these reductions has not been announced, the District Council has been looking at a number of cost saving measures including raising additional income, reducing expenditure, systems review, natural wastage, voluntary early retirements and voluntary redundancies.

"Recently, the Council has reduced in size from the equivalent of 355 full time employees to 295 now. We have consistently bettered Government efficiency targets and we have already achieved one of the lowest levels of Council Tax in England & Wales (25^th out of 201 councils). It is our aim to set a 0% rise in Council Tax next year and so it is critical that the District Council anticipates developments and prepares appropriate financial plans."

The Cabinet report - Item 4

The Cabinet has also agreed, as in previous years, to consult with District residents however this time the District Council will be using a unique methodology known as Simalto, about spending priorities. It will take a detailed look at how a smaller Council may work with a reduced workforce and ask residents to give their views.  The Simalto approach gives people a set 'budget' and requires them to make trade off decisions between different services in order to either make service improvements or savings.  The District Council will use the feedback from residents to help shape its future financial plans. 

The Cabinet report - Item 14