No easy answers as council looks for more savings
Date published: 21 March 2013
OLDHAM Council is publishing new proposals designed to balance its budget for 2014-5.
The options are designed to bridge a shortfall of £7.5 million for that year.
Last month the budget for 2013-4 was agreed and — as part of a two-year budget-setting process — also approved early savings worth £13 million for 2014-5.
The new proposals look at new ways of working; reducing subsidies; increasing income; closer integration of services; and measures to cut costs and red tape.
The council is preparing for how it will deliver services in the future.
The proposals also identify new joint-working opportunities with other organisations — such as joint-commissioning with the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group on programmes to address issues like mental health, work to reduce falls at home and repeat hospital admissions.
Other options under consultation with the unions include proposals to save £1 million through changes to employee terms and conditions.
Council leader Jim McMahon said: “We are determined to manage our finances effectively and are again way ahead of other local authorities in publishing these proposals so early for the 2014-5 budget.”
