What Wokingham Borough Council is doing to safeguard services into the future

£29million saved during six years

During the past six years we have reduced costs and made efficiencies totalling about £29million and we are making further savings of £12million this year. As part of this we are making significant savings on staffing as well as through more efficient processes such as in procurement and IT. We are also looking to move out of our expensive Shute End offices.

Sound lending

Another way in which the council looks to maximise its income is through sound lending and investments. A recent example of lending for a good, safe return was a loan of £10million to Woking Borough Council that has both its capital repayment and interest guaranteed by the Government, making it as safe a loan as could be made that will generate about £350,000 income over nine months. This £10million was money earmarked for use in the future but thanks to the loan it is working for us while we wait to use it.

Executive member for finance Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey said: “The low-funding we receive from Government means we must make every penny count – but we need to do so in a way that keeps our finances balanced and our services safe.

“So, we are reducing our staffing levels through careful vacancy management while actively trying to recruit the social workers and other front-line staff needed to keep people safe and well.

“There is a similar balance with investments; we have seen other councils get into terrible trouble with over-ambitious investments; we have in assets, such as the recent purchase of a care home, that have a benefit to the community but also generate income and maintain a high value.”

Partnership working

In the longer term, the council must modernise so that it works more closely with partners and residents to produce local solutions and empower local communities to work efficiently and effectively together.

Leader of the council Cllr Stephen Conway said: “Given the difficult financial position of the country, we believe that successful councils in the future will be those that work with their residents and empower people to take control of their communities. We are starting that process by support the community to produce a long-term vision for the borough and by reaching out to partners in the voluntary sector and businesses.

“This will be a long journey, and needs to sit alongside the necessary efficiencies, difficult decisions and sound investments we are making, but it is vital to safeguard our services in the future.”