SOMERSET County Council is on track to deliver £7 million of ‘back office’ savings with more to come as it works to balance its budget, council leader David Fothergill said last wek.
He was updating last Wednesday’s council meeting on progress towards finding the £18m of savings required this financial year followibg reductions in funding from central Government and rising demand for key services.
The main Government grant to the county council for this financial year is down by around £16m and due to fall by a further £10m next year.
Savings measures including better use of technology, better procurement, redesign of services, contract renegotiations and lower running costs through sharing services are expected to save £7m this year – with more in future years. It includes £1.5m saved from the return of services from Southwest One.
Beyond back office, savings are being planned or delivered in a range of areas including:
* Reduced spend on agency and temporary staff - £320,000.
* Having to pay less for less concessionary bus journeys - £1.6m.
* Efficiencies in the new highways maintenance contract - £400,000.
* Reduced spend on small scale flood mitigation schemes - £140,000.
* Providing more mental health accommodation in mainstream accommodation - £500,000.
* Withdrawal of Saturday park and eide services in Taunton - £50,000.
* Reducing costs of children’s placements - £1m.
As well as this, Learning Disability placements and support packages are being reviewed to make sure they are focused on helping people to be independent in their own homes and communities wherever possible.
Eligible needs will be met, and some are likely to be met in different ways at less cost.
The aim is to provide better outcomes while spending less, and the council will also look at ensuring it is paying the same as regional counterparts for placements and support. Together it is anticipated that this review will save around £4.5m.