Published on:
16
July 2010
The Council's ambitious change programme is stepping up a gear and we are looking for the community's help in shaping the future of public services in Clackmannanshire.
We are seeking comments from the people who use the hundreds of services we provide every day to help us make some of the difficult choices ahead during these challenging times.
Chief Executive Angela Leitch said: "In common with all public sector organisations we are facing challenging financial targets. Thanks to the efforts of our workforce we begin this period of far-reaching change from a strong position, with the structure and capacity in place to tackle whatever lies ahead. The Council's performance has been praised by independent watchdogs and our latest residents' survey shows that 90% find Clackmannanshire a satisfying place to live.
"Senior officers have been drawing up plans in anticipation of the widely publicised minimum 12% reduction in public sector budgets. That means budget savings of at least £13m over the period 2011-2014. That is equivalent to at least £4m a year. However, we don't know the details of our grant and we could have to make even greater savings, perhaps up to 20%. At the same time, we'll have to find ways of dealing with increased demand for some Council services, with a growing elderly population, more young people requiring our support and the impact of the recession, which is affecting residents in different ways. For example we expect to see a rise in the number of 5th and 6th year pupils staying on at school because of the decline in available jobs for school leavers.
"We know what the challenges are and now we need to come up with solutions. Staff, trade unions, residents, businesses, community groups all have a say. We want to hear your ideas on which services we can supply differently, which services the community can help to support and which services you value enough to pay for. By working together we can make Clackmannanshire an even better place to live, work and visit."
A feedback leaflet is being printed and will be available at Council buildings including libraries. The leaflet explains how the Council currently spends its budget and illustrates the kinds of areas where senior officers think we could close the budget gap. More detailed information will be available on the Council's website, ClacksWeb, and everyone can offer us informed comments and suggestions using the online feedback form. There is also a new dedicated email address for comments on this issue: lookabootye@clacks.gov.uk. Public engagement events will be held and we will be talking to community councils at an early stage.
Angela added: "We hope this engagement exercise will raise awareness of the challenges the Council is facing and what it means for public services. Ultimately councillors will be making budget decisions so we need to hear the views of those affected so that our decisions are well informed and the impact of changes is understood. A minimum reduction of 12% in our finances means that 'business as usual' is not an option. While we will all continue to modernise the way we work, there is no way that we can find these significant savings by making efficiencies alone. We have to look at doing things differently, stopping some services and charging for others. As we plan for the future, it's important that people of Clackmannanshire share their views with us about what they think our priorities should be."
Council leader Janet Cadenhead added: "We would like to encourage everyone to take the opportunity to have their say on this vital issue. We are committed to engaging with communities. We have a timetable planned for the discussion process and as we receive feedback we will keep you updated on the information we have received and how it's likely to shape our decisions. We'll also have regular updates for staff and trade unions as the engagement process evolves."
The Council has agreed priorities set out in the Corporate Plan and the Single Outcome Agreement and these will remain. You've already told us that your top priority is for the Council to support jobs and we will always protect services essential to our most vulnerable residents, maximise the resources we have and continue to develop new and improved ways of delivering our services.
The Imagine Alloa project has breathed new life into Alloa Town Centre, the Council is committed to starting a house building programme as well as achieving the Clackmannanshire Quality Housing Standard by 2015, and we have an enviable environment as well as the top recycling rate in Scotland.
Angela added: "Overall, we are confident that we will still provide essential services which are vital for the people of Clackmannanshire. I'm now asking for the involvement of our customers and our communities on how we can best provide those services in a very different era to the one we have been used to."
The Council's total revenue budget for 2010/11 for all services other than Council housing amounts to £119.2m. This is funded from Government grants of £97.6m with £21.6m coming from Council Tax. A five year capital programme for General Fund services covering the years 2010/11 to 2014/15 has a gross budget of £36.8m, with £9m planned to be spent in 2010/11.