Options for savings, efficiencies and increases in income totalling £191,000 and the use of £474,000 from reserves, will be considered by Conervative controlled West Lancashire Borough Council on Wednesday 17 July, to balance the budget for 2014/15.
After the Council has agreed provisional proposals, it will invite local residents, community groups, public sector organisations and local businesses to give their views on them before final decisions are made in October.
The main policy options under consideration at this stage include:
- Reducing spending on food safety inspections in accordance with a reduction in Food Standards Agency (FSA) requirements and reduced health promotion work
- Restructuring of Internal Audit to reduce costs
- Introducing charges for replacement wheelie bins and recycling boxes
- Increasing some fees and charges in line with inflation
- Budget streamlining in Leisure Services, Planning, Housing and Regeneration and Member Services to make efficiency savings that do not impact on customers
- Taking £474,000 from Reserves because the last few years have seen an unprecedented level of change within the Council. Consequently there is now a need to allow a period of time for these changes to bed in and then to carefully consider and assess the new environment facing the Council.
During the course of 2013/14 a number of savings have already been implemented which have a positive effect on the 2014/15 budget, totalling £155,000. This leaves a budget gap of £665,000 for 2014/15. The Report to Council recommends this is met by using £474,000 from reserves in addition to agreeing the £191,000 policy options.
The policy options were informed by a survey earlier this year when people were asked to give their views on which services they thought should be lower or higher priorities when considering spending reductions.
Cllr David Westley, Aughton and Downholland ward councillor and portfolio holder for finance, said: “Over the past few years the Council has successfully reduced spending and improved income generation. Through prudent financial management and a focus on generating efficiencies, we’ve been able to save money whilst minimising the effect on services.
“However there are further financial challenges ahead and so we need to find significant sums again next year. We’re trying to balance the need to make savings against our wish to maintain services for residents for as long as possible. Once the Council has selected potential options we will invite local people to give their views.”