Council cuts: the new front

THE financial challenges facing local authorities are stark. Only the most innovative and dynamic administrations will emerge relatively unscathed from the economic crisis. Cuts are inevitable – regardless of the political ideology of the leadership, or the social issues confronting individual town halls across Yorkshire.

The key, however, is looking forward and determining the quality of the services that can be provided within this new financial framework. The new Labour administration in York, led by James Alexander who, coincidentally, is the youngest council boss in the country, is hoping to bring about a more enlightened approach.

Cutting some “back office” functions can make up only part of the shortfall – around £100bn still has to come out of the economy over the next three years and councils will need to accept their share of this burden. However, it should be remembered that thousands of jobs have already been axed, making the cuts process even more challenging. Those services deemed surplus to public requirements were dispensed with many months ago.

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This backdrop places a greater onus on local authorities to be more pragmatic and look at the bigger picture, rather than work in isolation. As such, Coun Alexander wants to share departments with other authorities, bring a regional perspective to the decision-making process and see which councils have the skills and personnel to deliver services that can benefit several town halls. If only his party was so forward-thinking at a national level.

Clearly some functions will have to be retained by each council, the word “local” remains crucial, but some areas can provide mutual benefit – such as an integrated transport system for Leeds, Bradford and York.

Equally, certain education services could also be brought together, with specific funds channelled into the areas in order to negate the postcode lottery which is hurting parts of the region. New businesses could be created in local economies via the sale and later growth of functions that are currently delivered in-house.

Of course, the cuts process will continue to have serious repercussions for some of the staff involved, but long term, the brightest councils can turn this into a watershed moment, with the end result being an enhanced service.