In the past, when Salford's Labour councillors have been passing massive cuts they almost have tears welling in their eyes as they denounce the Tories and agree to the slashing of services `with a heavy heart'. This year, so far, there's none of that. It's almost like Salford Mayor Ian Stewart has taken the cuts culture on board...
"We're determined to do things differently to make the most of the budget we have but we are still forced to face difficult decisions to balance our books this year and next" he stated as £21.8million of cuts were announced "...we're pioneering new approaches to try and protect services and support people as best as we can. But we are committed to continuing to provide high quality, responsive services for local people."
Indeed, a look through the Council's proposals for the massive cuts and the detail given makes everything look fine. For instance, a £1.14million cut in the 0-25 service, will, apparently, "develop increased flexibility and effectiveness" in services available for children...
Meanwhile, a £2.47million cut in the Looked After Children service will "reduce the need for children to go into care in the first place" and, if they do, it will "maximise high quality placements". And a £2.27 cut within the Community Health and Social Care budget will "provide better outcomes for older people, improved experiences of health and social care services".
Beyond the spin and doublespeak public services are being further decimated, aimed at the young, the vulnerable and the elderly... A £6.179million cut to Children's Services...A £4.229million cut to Community Health and Social Care... A £3.766million cut to Public Health... A £2.897million cut to Environment Services... A £1.51million cut to Corporate Services and a £437,000 cut to Regeneration.
Most of these cuts, totalling £14.557million. were announced at last year's budget meeting of the full Council (see here), but there's an extra £7million added to bring the total to £21.8million slashed off the budgets.
This includes £430,000 `saved' by making black bin collections every three weeks (see here); a further £150,000 cut to the Connexions budget; a £320,000 cut to the Council-pushed mutual adult care company Aspire; a £1.614million cut by making the community `self serve' online for contact with the Council; and a £25,000 cut to Salford City Radio.
Altogether, 186 posts will be axed, including the loss of 120 jobs through the online digital self serve move (see here).
The Council intends to pass all the cuts at its February meeting, and the community has until 29th January to comment on the proposals. For the full details of the cuts and the Council's consultation – click here
UPDATE 13th January: Salford City UNISON responds to cuts - click here
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