Ways out of our £17m black hole

MORE money should be spent on front line services and less on bureaucracy if Oldham Council is to balance its books.

A raft of measures is on the table to make the council more efficient and free up money for services rather than administration.

Councillors are devising ways to plug a £17.3 million budget gap and have come up with almost £10 million of potential savings which will be discussed at Wednesday’s council meeting.

Ideas include closing some libraries, cutting the budget for youth services and redundancies.

Council leader Howard Sykes said: “We face a very challenging time and have to find substantial savings so we can deliver a balanced budget and live within our means.

“Our priorities are those that the people of Oldham have told us are important to them, including providing a better education for our young people, better employment opportunities and making Oldham cleaner and safer.”

Oldham Council is committed to keeping any council tax increase to 2 per cent at the most and is consulting people on their priorities.

Businesses in Oldham, partner organisations and the public have all been asked for their views.

More than 1,000 people have completed a postal questionnaire, used the budget simulator on the Oldham Council website, e-mailed, written or telephoned with their views.

All contributions are being analysed but it is already clear that the top priority is clean, safe streets.

Further reports on proposed savings by the council’s joint venture with the private sector, the Unity Partnership, and efficiency partner KPMG will be presented to the cabinet on December 15.

Councillor Sykes said: “The proposals on the table now are those we have developed with council managers. Most reduce administration and management or increase income, but we recognise that some will be controversial.

“We believe that some have been misunderstood, such as remodelling the youth service, which will provide fairer sharing of opportunities across the borough and more money for activities.

“But we must face reality: the changes to such as adult care funding will affect what we can deliver.

“Nothing is set in stone and if the efficiency reviews produce sufficient savings I would hope to revisit them. Meanwhile I am not prepared to make dishonest promises that we can save the £17.3m required to balance the books without some sacrifices.”