Cost-cutting councillors put annual report online

Paul Jeeves

COUNCILLORS in a North Yorkshire district have switched to the internet to provide a breakdown of how public money has been spent in a bid to drive down costs.

Selby District Council has just published its latest annual report but only a limited number of printed copies have been produced. Senior councillors have stressed that they are attempting to provide as much transparency as possible because the full report is available on the authority’s website.

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Deputy leader Brian Percival, said: “One of our ongoing priorities remains reducing expenditure by looking at how we can work more efficiently and innovatively to deliver services in the face of an uncertain financial future.

“Throughout this report, you can find out about the council’s work in this area, as we strive to get the most from each and every public pound.

“The annual report is designed to be an easy-to-read document that gives you as much information as you need about your local council, how we work, how we spend public money and, importantly, why we spend public money in the way we do.

“In an effort to further reduce costs we have only a small number of printed copies this year, but you can read the full report online.”

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The council had mapped out its main aims during the last financial year, which included slashing expenditure through a range of measures such as cutting staff travel and postage while increasing recycling rates to avoid landfill taxes.

The council has also looked to provide more affordable housing, improve street cleaning services and reduce its carbon footprint.

n The annual report can be accessed via the council’s website, www.selby.gov.uk, while a limited number of printed copies are available at the authority’s Access Selby office in Market Cross, Selby.