With unprecedented budget cuts on the horizon, the Isle of Anglesey County Council has unveied its new strategic priorities for public consultation.
Its Looking to the Future consultation document highlights the severe financial pressures facing the Authority, as it seeks spending cuts of £10m over the next three years, as well as how it intends to refocus its priorities.
Interim Managing Director, David J Bowles, explained, “This Council, like every other, will have to make tough decisions as it focuses on its priorities. If we are to protect statutory services and deliver our new strategic priorities, which include protecting the vulnerable and promoting the local economy, we will inevitably have to do less elsewhere.”
He added, “In light of the bleak financial outlook, the County Council is revisiting its priorities to ensure they reflect the current socio/economic challenges and opportunities facing the island; population trends and lifestyle and Council performance.”
The Looking to the Future document also outlines the Authority’s new Affordable Priorities Programme which will review of establishments with high running costs in order to secure other forms of service provision. A greater focus will be placed on good housekeeping and efficiency savings; more partnerships, joint working, alternative service models, modern working methods and service reduction if necessary.
Council Leader, Councillor Clive McGregor, stressed, “Local government is facing a severe financial crisis, and each authority will have to make huge savings in the coming years. We must now look at different ways of providing services at a reduced cost to the Council.”
“No decisions have yet been taken on the proposals published in the Looking to the Future consultation document. However, the County Council’s future financial plans will have to support our new strategic priorities and radical changes will be needed to deliver more business-like and affordable services.”
“We will undoubtedly have to make tough decisions over the next few years, which will mean a reduction in services as well as staffing levels. We hope that our five new strategic priorities will allow us to make the best possible use of available resources in order to the benefit of the people of Anglesey.”
Cllr McGregor added, “Planning for the future is, therefore, vital to ensure that we can prioritise effectively in order to sustain services as best we can. We will, of course, need to know what the people of Anglesey think and I would urge as many as possible to respond to the consultation document or have your say at one of the Question Time sessions which begin this week.”
Looking to the Future will also seek public feedback on a proposed 5% increase the Council Tax for 2010-11. Current budget proposals include a reduction in schools and road maintenance budgets as well as an extra £300k to meet social care cost of an ageing population.
The consultation document is available on-line at www.anglesey.gov.uk or at the main Council offices in Llangefni, your local library or area office.
