Council services will have a range of locally based and corporate tools available to them to close the budget gap and they are best placed to know where efficiencies can be taken or where opportunities to invest in schemes that allow their services to be delivered at a lower cost.
The following strategies, plans and enablers have been aligned to our Medium Term Financial Strategy 2022–2027 to assist the achievement of the savings required over the years to close the budget gap:
- workforce strategy
- digital strategy
- asset management strategy
- recovery and renewal plans
- early intervention and prevention
- service based options
Workforce strategy
Our Workforce Strategy sets out the future shape of the Council and the human resources needed to deliver services.
It takes account of the impact on costs of pay awards, models the impact of structural changes specifically relating to the implementation of the National Care Service and need for growth in certain service areas.
However, just as the creation of the National Care Service has the potential for over 800 staff to leave the Council, services must also be preparing for the public sector financial constraint that will be applied and how, in the years ahead, there will be a need to reduce the size of the workforce to balance the budget.
Digital strategy
Our Digital Strategy will support service led innovation and build upon the success of the customer digital interactions that are growing exponentially.
The introduction of the Digital Strategy and the move towards more digital solutions will enable services to identify local service based digital efficiencies that can be used to close the budget gap. Services across the Council will be supported to review existing processes and introduce online customer focused options.
It is recognised that whilst the traditional method of service delivery will still be required for some, there are a significant number of residents and businesses who are currently interacting online and their expectations are that this will grow in the years ahead.
Asset management strategy
Our Asset Management Strategy will provide opportunities to review the overall Council estate and rationalise wherever possible.
This will be done against a requirement to identify cost reductions and savings and to do so against a backdrop where affordability and value for money are considered and achieved. The cost of capital and the impact on revenue debt charge costs means that the capital programme needs to be reviewed and reduced.
A review of the programme will take place prior to the 2023/24 Capital Plan being produced with the outcome reported to members for consideration and approval.
Recovery and renewal plans
Our Recovery and Renewal Plans published by each service set out the future service delivery arrangements and direction of travel for the Council.
The Plans sought to review existing arrangements, embed learning from the pandemic and seek wherever possible to introduce a changed service that was more adaptable and responsible to the needs of communities. The Plans sought to ensure that the renewed Service was markedly different from the previous one and included detailed options for change and opportunities for efficiencies.
From examining the national and financial context and the pressures that will arise in the near future, it is clear that inaction is not an option for the Council. There is a need to change our services to align with future needs and to target available resources towards early intervention and prevention which will, in time, lower costs and establish even more effective and powerful services.
Strategies and plans
Comments and suggestions
Get in touch if you have any comments or suggestions on the Council Strategic Framework and its strategies:
Comments and suggestions