STOCKPORT PROPOSES EXTRA SAVINGS FOR CONSULTATION

Stockport Council’s Executive on Monday is being recommended to approve for consultation additional savings of almost £12 million.

If approved, these new savings will enable the Council to put forward a balanced budget for the next financial year and also achieve the bulk of the estimated savings required for 2014-15.
 
These savings add to the £15.6m already approved in December bringing total savings to be delivered by 2014/15 to £27.6m of which £14.4m are planned for 2013/14.
 
Following the Executive meeting, the savings proposals will go to the Budget Council meeting on 5th March for final approval.  It is proposed that there is a Council Tax increase of 2.5 per cent for 2013/14.
 
The savings comprise 30 detailed proposals – which can be read online at www.stockport.gov.uk/budgetproposals – and will be subject to a comprehensive consultation.

Over the next three months, the Council will be consulting with its workforce, trade unions, service users, partners, special interest and community groups, scrutiny committees and other stakeholders.
 
The results of these consultations will be considered by the Executive in July 2013.

Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “We are proposing a savings package of £12m to achieve a balanced budget for 2013/14 and to make the bulk of the estimated savings required for 2014-15. 
 
“The savings proposals emphasise that the people of Stockport are our top priority and we are committed to providing them with the best possible value-for-money services.”

“If agreed by the Executive on 18th February and Budget Council on 5th March, we will consult thoroughly with residents and service users and providers.

“We are determined to continue improving life for everyone in Stockport by giving increased value-for-money and with organisations working closely together.  We also want to encourage the growth of jobs and more affordable housing in Stockport.

“We all know these are extremely difficult financial times but Stockport is meeting the challenges and we’d like to thank everyone who is doing their bit.” 

Chief Executive Eamonn Boylan added: “If the proposals are agreed, we will begin another programme of comprehensive consultation, communications and scrutiny over the next three months. The results of these consultations will be considered by the Executive in July.

“We want to try our best to ensure that most if not all of the employees who wish to remain in the Council’s employment are able to do so.”
 
Where it has been quantified the measures will result in the Council’s workforce being reduced by around 174 posts over the two years, the majority of which it is hoped will be achieved through voluntary redundancies and taking out posts which are vacant. The Council is doing all it can to minimise the need for compulsory redundancies and is working closely with the Trade Unions.