Friday 28th November, 2014

Councillors at Suffolk County Council have been told that they will need to make significant structural changes in order to save money and avoid duplication of services. The council is already signed up to share more services with Norfolk County Council, and talks are now underway with Essex.

Council leader, Mark Bee emphasised that shared services need not be confined to other local authorities, and commented that they were working closely with health bodies and the police. He said that the plans were not to be viewed as short-term austerity cuts, but rather a long-term programme for a sustainable future.

Chief executive Deborah Cadman, added that  talks were underway with the government’s Department of Work and Pensions to create a better system for those out of work, or looking for benefits.

The scrutiny committee spent the day looking at the council’s proposals to cut almost £42 million from its budget next year.

However opposition leader Sandy Martin was concerned that the council was looking at cutting too deeply, with the possibility that they cuts could affect its statutory services.

He was also alarmed by proposed cuts of £200,000 a year to the voluntary sector – half is expected to affect charities providing care services while the rest may hit arts and cultural grants.

Mr Martin said: “I don’t think the large care providers will be hit by this, but it could really affect some of the smaller groups who provide relatively simple services like visiting people and collecting their shopping. A cut for some charities like that could push them out of business.”