Roads repairs, weekly rubbish collections and libraries protected in Council saving plan
Havering's Cabinet is set to consider proposals on 13 July to save £16 million. Together with its savings published last summer, this will complete the savings drive to bridge the Council's £40m budget gap, which was the result of cuts in Government funding to all local councils. *
Key services like weekly rubbish collections, libraries, parks, child protection and repairs to roads and pavements are protected under the proposals. The report sets out how the majority of the £16 million will be found by cutting red tape and bureaucracy, driving out inefficiencies and focusing money and effort where they will do the most good – particularly for the borough's most vulnerable residents.
In January, the Council conducted its largest ever survey asking Havering residents to set out their priorities. The proposals to be considered by Cabinet are based on these priorities and underlines the Council's commitment to protecting its key services, like its weekly rubbish collection, support for vulnerable adults and children, and continued investment in roads and pavements.
The Council will also be identifying areas where it can work more closely in partnership with other councils and public sector bodies, for example in its library and communications services.
It will also refocus its work with the large voluntary sector in Havering to help provide care and support for vulnerable people and make sure that they have the assistance they need to live independently for longer, rather than requiring lengthy and expensive full time care. A new volunteer project will be kicked off in the near future.
Councillor Michael White, Leader of Havering Council said:
"We have aspirations, for our residents and communities and for what we can achieve as a Council. But we have to balance our aspirations with our responsibilities to save money and work more effectively. This savings plan sets out responsible and fair measures to balance our books. Our residents told us what most matters to them and this report protects investment in roads and pavements, the weekly rubbish collection, our parks and our libraries.
"By continuing to find more efficient ways of working, we will be able to keep council tax stable over the next few years and this report reaffirms our commitment to keeping council tax as low as possible. Provided the Government makes no further announcement, this will be our last major set of savings that we need to make ending this period of uncertainty for residents and giving them the confidence that services in Havering will not be slashed."
Key services like weekly rubbish collections, libraries, parks, child protection and repairs to roads and pavements are protected under the proposals. The report sets out how the majority of the £16 million will be found by cutting red tape and bureaucracy, driving out inefficiencies and focusing money and effort where they will do the most good – particularly for the borough's most vulnerable residents.
In January, the Council conducted its largest ever survey asking Havering residents to set out their priorities. The proposals to be considered by Cabinet are based on these priorities and underlines the Council's commitment to protecting its key services, like its weekly rubbish collection, support for vulnerable adults and children, and continued investment in roads and pavements.
The Council will also be identifying areas where it can work more closely in partnership with other councils and public sector bodies, for example in its library and communications services.
It will also refocus its work with the large voluntary sector in Havering to help provide care and support for vulnerable people and make sure that they have the assistance they need to live independently for longer, rather than requiring lengthy and expensive full time care. A new volunteer project will be kicked off in the near future.
Councillor Michael White, Leader of Havering Council said:
"We have aspirations, for our residents and communities and for what we can achieve as a Council. But we have to balance our aspirations with our responsibilities to save money and work more effectively. This savings plan sets out responsible and fair measures to balance our books. Our residents told us what most matters to them and this report protects investment in roads and pavements, the weekly rubbish collection, our parks and our libraries.
"By continuing to find more efficient ways of working, we will be able to keep council tax stable over the next few years and this report reaffirms our commitment to keeping council tax as low as possible. Provided the Government makes no further announcement, this will be our last major set of savings that we need to make ending this period of uncertainty for residents and giving them the confidence that services in Havering will not be slashed."
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