Councils look at next financial strategy
Thursday, 16th January 2014.
Work which has already delivered £3.5million savings continues this week when St Edmundsbury and Forest Heath councils consider further budget reductions.
The two councils will be meeting for the first time to set out how together they will deliver their latest 'shared ambitions'.
Forest Heath District and St Edmundsbury Borough Councils have recently completed a restructure to share services across West Suffolk.
The overview and scrutiny committees of the two authorities will meet together for the first time on January 22 to consider a West Suffolk Strategic Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy for the next two years.
Cllr James Waters, leader of Forest Heath, said: “We have achieved an incredible amount by working together but this is just the starting point as there are still huge financial challenges ahead.
"A single plan for West Suffolk does not mean a one-size-fits-all approach. Each council has its own unique identity and this joint plan allows for that individuality and doing things differently in different parts of West Suffolk while sharing broad priorities and ambitions.
"As council leaders, we are committed to making the most of the shared strength that acting together as West Suffolk gives us, at local, regional and national levels.”
Cllr John Griffiths, leader of St Edmundsbury, said: “Times are increasingly tough for local government but we need to continue to meet - and indeed anticipate - the challenges ahead and to become less dependent on funding from central Government.
"Councils must, and can, do things differently to help our communities become more self-reliant. The strategic plan suggests new ways of working, new relationships and three over-arching priorities.
"To achieve all this will not be easy but our strong track record already shows what we can achieve together and, by embracing new opportunities, we will continue to help our residents and businesses in West Suffolk to create the best possible future for us all.”
The strategic plan will be discussed on January 22 by the combined overview and scrutiny committees of the two councils, which will then meet separately to take the decision on recommending its adoption to their respective cabinets.
It will then inform the 2014/15 budget-setting at the two authorities' full council meetings in February.
The Strategic Plan aims to 'support communities to create the best possible future for people in West Suffolk by working together'. Its three overarching priorities are: increased opportunities for economic growth; families and communities that are healthy and active; and better homes for everyone.
The medium term financial strategy sets out the approach to sound management of the councils’ finances over the next two years.
Cllr Griffiths said: “Both councils aspire to be ‘investing authorities’, supporting the strategic priorities and in particular, aiding economic growth across West Suffolk.
"We will be taking advantage of new forms of funding, new technologies and the new opportunities available.”
Cllr Waters said: “The vision, priorities and projects set out in the Strategic Plan have shaped real choices on how increasingly scarce resources are allocated.
"We are confident that this prioritises essential services and represents a sound and prudent base for the medium term.”
The two councils will be meeting for the first time to set out how together they will deliver their latest 'shared ambitions'.
Forest Heath District and St Edmundsbury Borough Councils have recently completed a restructure to share services across West Suffolk.
The overview and scrutiny committees of the two authorities will meet together for the first time on January 22 to consider a West Suffolk Strategic Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy for the next two years.
Cllr James Waters, leader of Forest Heath, said: “We have achieved an incredible amount by working together but this is just the starting point as there are still huge financial challenges ahead.
"A single plan for West Suffolk does not mean a one-size-fits-all approach. Each council has its own unique identity and this joint plan allows for that individuality and doing things differently in different parts of West Suffolk while sharing broad priorities and ambitions.
"As council leaders, we are committed to making the most of the shared strength that acting together as West Suffolk gives us, at local, regional and national levels.”
Cllr John Griffiths, leader of St Edmundsbury, said: “Times are increasingly tough for local government but we need to continue to meet - and indeed anticipate - the challenges ahead and to become less dependent on funding from central Government.
"Councils must, and can, do things differently to help our communities become more self-reliant. The strategic plan suggests new ways of working, new relationships and three over-arching priorities.
"To achieve all this will not be easy but our strong track record already shows what we can achieve together and, by embracing new opportunities, we will continue to help our residents and businesses in West Suffolk to create the best possible future for us all.”
The strategic plan will be discussed on January 22 by the combined overview and scrutiny committees of the two councils, which will then meet separately to take the decision on recommending its adoption to their respective cabinets.
It will then inform the 2014/15 budget-setting at the two authorities' full council meetings in February.
The Strategic Plan aims to 'support communities to create the best possible future for people in West Suffolk by working together'. Its three overarching priorities are: increased opportunities for economic growth; families and communities that are healthy and active; and better homes for everyone.
The medium term financial strategy sets out the approach to sound management of the councils’ finances over the next two years.
Cllr Griffiths said: “Both councils aspire to be ‘investing authorities’, supporting the strategic priorities and in particular, aiding economic growth across West Suffolk.
"We will be taking advantage of new forms of funding, new technologies and the new opportunities available.”
Cllr Waters said: “The vision, priorities and projects set out in the Strategic Plan have shaped real choices on how increasingly scarce resources are allocated.
"We are confident that this prioritises essential services and represents a sound and prudent base for the medium term.”
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