Westminster report backs ‘Total Place’ services

Millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money could be saved by placing police, health and council services under one roof a new report recommends today.

A study by Westminster City Council says that even just a 1% cut in the total spend in the borough through sharing staff and infrastructure and greater power over local spending decisions would result in a £20million annual saving for local residents.

The total cost of public expenditure in Westminster is more than £2billion a year and with the public sector facing its fiercest fiscal squeeze in a generation ‘urgent action is needed to bring this spending down’ says the report.

The study is one of the first to put a figure on total public spending by the council, NHS Westminster and the Metropolitan Police.

Cllr Colin Barrow, leader of Westminster, said: ‘The current national debate around cuts versus investment is something of a red herring and is in fact a diversion from the real issues at hand.

‘We can make major savings over the next ten years while still delivering high quality services, but this can only be done if we pool our resources and expertise and bring the public sector together under one roof to strip out waste, cut red tape and end duplication.

‘What's clear, however, is that in today's very tough economic climate with falling income and a reduction in government grants, we need to look at new ways of doing business if we are to stay ahead of the game. ‘Unified public services and greater partnership working is the most sensible way ahead to achieve this goal.’

Mike More, Westminster chief executive, added: ‘People in Westminster are generally satisfied with the area in which they live and rate their local public services highly.

‘But this does not mean that we can rest on our laurels as we need to raise our game to meet the daily challenges of providing services in the heart of a major world city.’

The report's other key findings were:

• Average combined spending per ward in Westminster was around £75million.
• Nearly £200million is spent on children and young people by Westminster City Council - the largest single area of expenditure followed by housing services (£146milllion) and social care (£127million).
• Some £86million was spent on services provided specifically to non-residents
• Around £460million was paid in benefits and pensions across Westminster.

The Westminster report mirrors the government's Total Place programme which recommends a new approach to public spending by devolving money to councils, cutting unnecessary duplication between services and improving joint working.

Westminster’s report, Mapping the money, is being unveiled today at a conference on Total Place organised by LocalGov.co.uk sister title The MJ.