A north west council has voiced concern about funding uncertainty despite balancing its books following a £14m cuts drive.
Despite achieving its savings goals and managing to cut £14m in the last financial year, Wigan Council warned of ‘tough times ahead’ this week as the extent of future budget cuts won’t become apparent until the autumn statement is published.
Council leader, Lord Peter Smith, said the council would nonetheless continue its transformation programme in order to make efficiencies and improve services.
Accounts show the council actually underspent during the financial year of 2014/15, as a focus on value for money was rigorously applied. This meant an additional £495,000 worth of savings could be made.
Those savings have been reinvested in schemes such as Greater Manchester’s first community hub for armed forces and scheme ‘The Deal in Action’, which helps residents to take pride in their local area.
Speaking to council’s audit, governance and review committee, Lord Peter Smith, said: ‘The savings aren’t going to go away, it’s better for us to act early and make sure we’re ready and I’m confident we are. That’s not to say it’s going to be easy. But through The Deal we’re doing things differently.
‘Take adult social care for example, rather than trying to provide services ourselves we’re working better with local organisations like Sunshine House to see how they can help us to support the community. We’ve had terrific support. This approach is being rolled out across the council, with some real results being achieved. It’s the only way we can survive as a local authority. We understood that early and got on with it.’
