Huntingdonshire District Council £6million savings to be outlined
Huntingdonshire District Council - Credit: Archant
While the county is setting out its latest money saving plans, you can expect to see early next year where Huntingdonshire District Council will be looking to save money as it sets out proposals for dealing with further cuts in its Government funding.
Pathfinder House will have to find savings of about £5.8million by 2017/18 from its £78m budget – after cutting £3.9million from its spending since 2010/11.
In September, the council’s MD Jo Lancaster issued a stark warning in her Facing the Future report to officers and councillors – cuts need to be made and extra revenue found for HDC to live within its reduced figure for 2015/16.
Officers and councillors have been scrutinising everything that HDC provides, offers and spends. From its statutory duties, which include dealing with building control, helping to tackle crime and health issues, through all of its non-statutory services – providing leisure facilities, car parks and giving grants to community groups.
While some services are compulsory, the level of that service provided can be decided by a council.
Mrs Lancaster told The Hunts Post: “We have started very, very early on the 15/16 budget and this root and branch review will allow us to explore everything.
“This could be looking to see if some services are already provided elsewhere or looking to community groups to help with services. There are some excellent examples of community groups being involved – Paxton Pits is an excellent example.”
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The council’s scrutiny committees are sifting through detailed descriptions of everything HDC provides, runs and owns. The committees will report to the council in coming weeks and some of the options for HDC will become clearer.
“The budget for 2015/16 is going to be really difficult,” Mrs Lancaster said. “The changes we have made so far have not really impacted on the public but we’re getting to the stage where that is going to be difficult to continue.”
Mrs Lancaster said HDC is aiming to take a commonsense approach to any proposals.
If HDC decides to withdraw a service there will be plenty of time to find a replacement operator, time to do things properly, she said.
HDC wants to hear from the public what services are sacred and what could potentially be reduced or removed. Have your say at www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk and click on the your services link at the bottom of the page or email yourservices@huntingdonshire.gov.uk
