Stoke-on-Trent City Council on course to balance books
SAVINGS of more than £16.2 million have been banked in nine months through council budget cuts.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council says the savings total shows it is on course to balance its books in 2012/13 – as officers and councillors prepare to reveal how they will save up to £23 million more next year.
-
ROBUST ACTION: Chief executive John van de Laarschot.
Records outlining the authority's financial position at the end of the second quarter of the financial year show finance chiefs are currently predicting an overspend of almost £2 million this year.
But they are expecting to avert the overspend by delaying projects and only filling vacant posts which are considered essential.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
The biggest funding pressures facing the authority include a £2.5 million overspend in children's services due to soaring numbers of referrals for care.
And the council is again more than £300,000 short of the amount it expected to raise from its car parks.
The authority is due to set out another programme of major budget cuts this week.
It follows cuts totalling more than £56 million over the last two years.
Leaders will not find out the exactly how much the council has to save until the Government announces local government funding settlements in late December.
Chief executive John van de Laarschot said: "Strong political leadership, combined with decisive action, provided a robust starting point to meet the challenges of the most severe financial settlement in recent history.
"Huge uncertainty over the level of future resources still remains."
Comments
by LeighinHanley
Thursday, November 29 2012, 6:52AM
“Two things with Stoke on Trent City Council never add up:
The relocating to Hanley; which will cost millions and then sell the Stoke site - but after the 'advert' on BBC4, who wants to locate a business where cuts are being made as the local economy will be at an all time low?
Get rid of the Chief Exec and all his cronies as they seem to do very little.
The late Ted Smith must be turning in his grave!”
by mole10
Wednesday, November 28 2012, 12:20PM
“When the complete rout of all Labour councillors comes at the next elections, two Labour councillors will win their respective seats.
Pervez
Joy Garner.
Meredith and the rest, including any pitiful interal opposition will be extinguished from the political landscape.”
by spudder56
Wednesday, November 28 2012, 12:01PM
“John van de l is just deluded go now”
by smithy1980
Wednesday, November 28 2012, 11:03AM
“CUT ALL SENIOR MANAGER POSTS NOW AND PUT ALL SENIOR ROLES UNDER REVIEW.
If they are having to bring in 'Consultants' they are obviously not fit for purpose or doing their jobs correctly.”
by gormhenghast
Wednesday, November 28 2012, 8:47AM
“When balancing the books goes over the limit and starts to tipple front line services like school crossing patrols Van der LAUGHING STOCK then its time for you to sacrifice yourself, just pop out onto the balcony of your office at the top of the ivory tower, and fall on your sword, jump, or take the next gravy train that pops along in your career. Please save a few crossing ladies for Stokes sake eh!!! Just bog off creative leadership does not mean COMPRESSION of services.”
by Robnoxious
Wednesday, November 28 2012, 12:35AM
“Spend £25k and close down St Micheals Centre of Excellence, on a 90 day consultation.Care in the community . Another nail in the coffin. SHAME ON THIS LABOUR COUNCIL.”
by Miltopia
Monday, November 26 2012, 8:55PM
“There is prob 20 Tablet Computers going cheap in the 'Pigpen'. That'll save em' a few bob”
by stokemaveric
Monday, November 26 2012, 5:52PM
“they would save more if the did not employ consultants that are not needed and took a long hard look at their ''wages''....”
by rubythursday
Monday, November 26 2012, 5:32PM
“look at the money that could be saved by allowing civic buildings to mature into their surroundings rather than relocating them every 25years”
by Robnoxious
Monday, November 26 2012, 5:15PM
“As the the saying goes, We are in it together. They certainly are. Put them both before, THE FIRING SQUAD”