Caerphilly County Borough Council is set to consider a series of proposals, which if implemented could generate savings of almost £600,000 over the next three years.
The Engineering Division, which is responsible for maintaining the roads and pathways in our area, as with many other areas within the council has been asked to consider how it can play its part in delivering the best services it can within an increasingly difficult financial settlement.
A number of proposals have been identified, which will be presented at the council’s Regeneration Scrutiny Committee this week (2nd November).
Cllr Rob Gough, Cabinet Member for Transportation and Planning said, “While we are committed to delivering services of the highest standard, we are conscious that we must consider ways of doing so in a more cost effective manner”.
He continued, “These proposals have been deemed manageable by the officers responsible for each service area, and we are confident that these proposals would help us deliver real savings, while still maintaining the level of service which helps make Caerphilly one of Wales’ leading local authorities”.
Some of the proposals outlined in the report include: –
Possible savings have been identified in Street Lighting Maintenance of £200,000 over the next three years (£100,000 in 2011/12, £50,000 in 2012/13 and £50,000 in 2013/14). A great deal of investment in the council’s street lighting and street lighting columns over a number of years means they will require less maintenance over the coming years.
The council is also working alongside neighbouring Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council in its lighting contracts, creating savings thanks to the ability to bulk buy across the two councils.
Possible savings of £150,000 have also been identified in Highways Maintenance over the next three years (£50,000 per year), which would come about thanks to innovative techniques such as the use of a hi-tech ‘jet patching’ machine, which helps maintain the highways network.
This innovative new machine helps improve efficiency, and allows the ability to carry out even more pothole repairs, which is particularly important in light of ongoing budget pressures.
Possible savings have also been highlighted in areas including Traffic Management Schemes (£50,000), Car Park Maintenance (£40,000), Drainage Maintenance (£30,000) and Canal Maintenance (£30,000).
Cllr Rob Gough continued, “These substantial savings would be made possible thanks to innovative new schemes, new technologies and more collaborative working. Despite these possible savings, we are determined that we will continue to provide a first class service to our residents and visitors to the county borough alike”.
