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Director’s briefing Autumn 2010. Why consult now?. Through its Comprehensive Spending Review the Government has reduced funding for local Councils by some 28% over the next four years. A funding shortfall for Norfolk County Council of at least £155m over the next three years because.
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Director’s briefing Autumn 2010
Why consult now? Through its Comprehensive Spending Review the Government has reduced funding for local Councils by some 28% over the next four years
A funding shortfall for Norfolk County Council of at least £155m over the next three years because • 55% of the Council’s income comes from Government • Service demand is increasing Inflation costs, particularly on fuel and energy • The Council has committed to freeze its share of Council Tax for two out of the next three years
The Council’s intention is to protect the frontline as much as possible It proposes that this level of savings can only be achieved through radical changes in what it does and the way it does it.
The consultation • The future ambitions and role of the County Council • The Council’s proposed approach for delivering the savings over the next three years • A series of savings proposals to help balance the budget and deliver the savings needed over the next three years
1. The Council’s proposes to continue with its current ambitions for Norfolk • An inspirational place with a clear sense of identity • A vibrant, strong and sustainable economy • Aspirational people with high levels of achievement
It proposes that in future its role should be focused on • Speaking up for Norfolk • Assessing people’s needs and commissioning effective services for them • Supporting, developing and maintaining the infrastructure • Being a safety net for the most vulnerable • Helping others to build strong communities
2.The Council proposes a four-step approach for managing the shortfall • Efficiencies • Redesigning services • Doing less and communities and new social enterprises doing more • Scaling back on services and priorities
Efficiencies e.g. • Reduced running and overhead costs, e.g. by 2014, 3,000 fewer staff • Benchmarking service costs and re-providing them through others where this is proven to be better value • Fewer subsidies for County Council services – people paying more of the actual cost of the services they receive • Sharing offices, services and resources with others
Redesigning services e.g. • The Council proposes to transform radically some of its services to better meet 21st century needs, e.g. • More use of personal care budgets, people buy and choose their own care, • More support, signposting and help make sure the choices are there • Greater use of self-serve options
Smaller Council – bigger communities e.g. • The Council proposes that others could help meet important local priorities that the Council Tax payer would no longer fund e.g. • More community enterprises • Parish or Town Councils taking on more • Supporting more activities for young people • Community meals or dining clubs • Volunteers in libraries • Countryside conservation and access
Scaling back – services and priorities e.g. • Focusing on those whose care needs are most critical • Reducing funding for proposed lower level priorities • Using our reduced care budget as a safety net for the most vulnerable • Reducing grants to arts and countryside organisations
Exceptional circumstances – tight timescale • The Council needs responses by 10 January so Councillors can consider them properly before deciding the budget. • The Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review - Oct 20 • Full affect for Norfolk County Council - Dec 2010 • Members discussion - January 2011 • Cabinet recommendations 24 January • County Council’s 2011/12 budget set – 14 Feb 2011.
Getting involved Go online www.norfolk.gov.uk/big conversation • Downloadable debate pack • Add comments and see others Ring: 0344 800 8020 Write: Freepost Your Norfolk Read and respond:’Your Norfolk’, December Contact your County Councillor – details on www.norfolk.gov.uk
The potential impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review on NCC Children’s Services November 2010
What is the potential impact of the CSR? • Precise impact on NCC uncertain until we receive details later this year of our grant settlement • -£155 million over the next three years unless it acts to change things • Continuing pressures from inflation AND increased demand • No increase in council tax for two of the next three years • Reshape the way the council does business to deliver high quality, better value services at a more local level and at a price we can afford
What are the areas being considered for budget reductions? • The budget proposals are designed not to impact on critical safeguarding services where possible • We will need to carry out a full impact assessment to understand the implications and avoid any risks to fulfilling our statutory duty • Probable big impact on capacity to deliver preventative services • Some proposals will need specific consultation with service users and/or specific stakeholders are marked with a .
