Radically reformed the way the council works
We have achieved average efficiencies and savings of £1million a year.
We have held Council Tax increases down to under 5% a year – this year only 2.95%.
As the majority party on the council, Suffolk Coastal Conservatives have successfully managed to maintain services while keeping council tax increases as low as possible.
We have not been helped by the Labour government. Every year we are given new tasks to carry out but the money we get from central government does not keep pace with the additional costs we have to meet.
We have done our best to square the circle by making Suffolk Coastal one of the most efficient councils in the country.
We have reduced the number of posts at senior level, formed partnerships with other organisations, reviewed all our business processes and invested in information technology to cut down on unnecessary paperwork.
Cut costs by working with others
Three years ago we broke new ground in local government by forming agency partnerships for the delivery of both our waste collection and leisure services.
Waste collection and associated services such as grounds maintenance, pest collection and cesspool emptying are now managed by a standalone company that is free to bid for external contracts.
The council retains management control of the business and council taxpayers benefit from the additional income that is generated.
Similarly, we have transferred day-to-day management of our sport and leisure centres to a partner organisation. In the process we have made considerable savings on the running costs.
In both cases we are taking a business-like approach to the management of traditional council-run services. We are succeeding in providing a first class service while ensuring costs are closely controlled.
We are also sharing services with other neighbouring local authorities. Building Control is now run jointly with Ipswich and we have created a joined-up Legal Service across the county. Expertise is shared, as is the cost.
Continue to keep the council tax down and improve services
In any organisation, particularly in the public sector, inefficiencies can creep in and there are always better ways of working. We shall continue to keep a tight control on costs and seek out new ways of delivering ever better value for money.
It is your money. We shall go on spending it as carefully as possible. At the same time we are committed to improving services we provide for residents.
Streamline the way the council works
There are still many services that can be run more efficiently if the work is shared with other neighbouring authorities.
We have already begun discussions with the county and other Suffolk district and borough councils to see how we can work together to deliver services jointly and reduce administrative costs.
Closer co-operation between councils can only be to the benefit of residents, both as taxpayers and as customers.