Council leaders in North Wales have met this week with North Wales Police Force and Police Authority, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and The North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority to discuss the financial challenges facing them in 2011/12 and beyond and to find ways to deliver services more efficiently and effectively.
Each sector identified that they would have to make substantial savings to balance their budgets given current pressures and future funding predictions.
Chairing the meeting of the North Wales Regional Partnership Board, Cllr Aled Roberts (Wrexham), said:
“All the North Wales public service providers are working as hard as they can to make savings and maintain and improve services. We are reviewing services and seeking more for less from our suppliers. At the same time we are considering our service charges and challenging each of our services in terms of the value they give to our communities.”
Mark Polin, Chief Constable of North Wales Police added:
“We are keen to work with partner agencies across the public sector to identify opportunities for joint working and for achieving efficiencies and savings. The aim is to ensure that we continue to deliver a quality service for the people of North Wales.
During today’s meeting, leaders of key public services have had the opportunity to share their challenges and find potential solutions. This will contribute hugely to delivering services more efficiently and effectively in the future. We intend to keep working together and look at how we can share our buildings and estate for example. It will not be easy but we are all confident and positive that we can continue to deliver good and improving public services through joint working.”
