Preparing for the future, today.

Posted By: Alan Taylor
Date Posted: 17/09/2009

We may only just be into the new football season but following Manchester City’s short run of wins, questions are already being asked whether money can automatically buy success. Just think what Rochdale A.F.C could do with £120million!

By contrast here in local government, we are being warned by the Labour Party and the Conservative Party that we are going to be expected to do MORE for LESS – A LOT LESS.

The Labour Government is already threatening a 10% real terms cut for Councils next year and also the year after that.

If the Tories were to come to power at the next general election they would no doubt match that with relish. At the Local Government Association Conference this year, Tory Leader David Cameron amazed his audience by pledging that if he was Prime Minister after the next elections there would be no more cash for local communities.

Here in Rochdale we know that we have vital services that are being further stretched by the effects of Labour’s recession. The Council is facing extra demands for benefits, welfare and debt counselling alongside increased pressure on social care services.

Everyone knows that future savage cuts in funding will translate into services being worsened.

The present need to reduce public expenditure has reinforced Rochdale’s efforts to reach agreement with all our partners in the public sector on how to produce efficiencies. We have therefore put in place an Efficiency Programme which will look at saving £100million over the next 5 years without effecting key front line services in the process. It’s only by taking the lead now that we can safeguard our Council’s future.