Salford City Council has had to published proposals to save another £21 million over the next financial year.
It’s part of £38 million savings the council must make over the next two years as funding from central government reduces and some of the council’s costs increase. The council has seen a further cut of 23% in its main government grant from last year.
City Mayor Ian Stewart said “We’re determined to do things differently to make the most of the budget we have but we are still forced to face difficult decisions to balance our books this year and next.
“No organisation can see its main government grant reduced by over half and still carry on in the same way but we’re pioneering new approaches to try and protect services and support people as best as we can.
“But we are committed to continuing to provide high quality, responsive services for local people.”
The council plans to save £1.6m by better use of digital technology which will automate more tasks and to make finding information or services more efficient and effective for both residents and staff.
It also will save millions by focusing on early intervention with families and children to reduce the need for services in the longer term and help children achieve their full potential. It will also focus on efficient targeting of support to people who need it and working closely with partners and other organisations to reduce duplication and make the most of services and support available in the community.
The council is also linking with the NHS to join up and maintain high levels of health and social care for older people across the city, which will help to deliver the best quality care in the circumstances and still make efficiency savings.
Salford City Council’s workforce will again be forced to reduce by a further 186 posts as part of the proposed savings for 2016/17. However, solutions for 48 of those posts have already been found, either through existing vacancies or staff who are waiting to take voluntary release. Another 120 of the 186 are linked to the digital transformation programme and the council expects to find solutions for those given its successful record of avoiding redundancies through internal redeployment and voluntary means.
Members of the public can comment on the proposals until February 1 by viewing them at www.salford.gov.uk/talkbudget before the final decision is made by full council in late February.
