Fair shares

WHEN the Government announced its stringent public-sector cuts, they were accompanied by an instruction which most public bodies chose to ignore: do not simply salami-slice your budget, but try to use this as an opportunity to reshape local government in a way that makes it far more efficient and respectful of taxpayers’ money.

Too many public bodies, however, chose the option that was not only easier but far more politically appealing. Hence, budgets were slashed for vulnerable services such as libraries or meals on wheels and, when the inevitable public outcry came, the finger of blame was pointed at a harsh, uncaring central government.

One body which has attempted to take the more imaginative path, however, has been South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority which has proposed sharing functions, such as vehicle maintenance, public relations or financial services, with other organisations such as South Yorkshire Police. Yet, according to authority members, their overtures have met with a distinct lack of enthusiasm even for discussing the subject.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This is understandable. Change of this magnitude may have the potential for saving vast quantities of public money, but it would involve upheaval and a sacrifice of vested interests on a scale that few bureaucrats would have the courage to attempt.

Cosseted for too long by the assurance that more public money was always on the way, it seems that too many of Britain’s so-called public servants are determined to do the public the great disservice of wasting this once-in-a-generation opportunity.