'Stop cuts and make cash instead'
COUNCIL chiefs have assured taxpayers that lessons have been learned from failed attempts to shut Dimensions splash pool and cut millions of pounds from leisure services.
A special task group was set up in the wake of the Dimensions U-turn in June last year to look at how so many unachievable savings had been included in the budget.
And the group reported back yesterday, concluding that decisions on which services to target had not been based on reliable evidence and that their value to residents had not been considered.
The report concluded: "Where the executive seeks to make budget savings they should be well thought out, evidence-based and with full costs attached.
"There are clear lessons to be learned around knowing what services are, who they benefit and the true cost."
The probe came after Stoke-on-Trent City Council passed a budget in February last year based on finding £2.8 million of savings.
Services affected by the cuts included leisure centres, bowling greens, Bucknall's City Farm attraction and museums.
But by the end of the year senior officers were forced to admit that the majority of the cutbacks had not been made.
Some, like the proposed closure of the splash pool at Dimensions Leisure Centre, sparked so much public and political opposition that they were dropped, while others simply proved impractical.
In the wake of the U-turn, the improving communities overview and scrutiny committee set up a special task group.
And yesterday committee chairman Councillor Dave Conway, who led the group, told the cabinet meeting he wanted to see the council placing more emphasis on income generation instead of service reduction.
He said: "We looked at this in depth and went to fishing pools, bowling greens and City Farm.
"Most of the committee didn't know the City Farm was there.
"If we don't market these facilities then they will cost us too much to run them."
Deputy council leader councillor Brian Ward said: "I would agree that the marketing of this city in the past has been poor, but hopefully that has been addressed now."
Interim chief executive Chris Harman said that steps had already been taken to address issues raised in the report.
He said: "There are many things within it that have either already been acted upon or soon will be acted upon."
After the meeting, Mr Conway said: "I have now had assurances from the executive that we will not have another Dimensions.
"But I feel that if we don't look at bringing in affordable charges for facilities like the City Farm then we will just lose them."
2 Comments
by Ian Norris, tunstall
Thursday, September 24 2009, 5:52PM
“did this Task Group not report back 26th jan 09? why report now”
by Andrew, Longton
Thursday, September 24 2009, 11:54AM
“SO half the committee didnt know we had a city farm, well hows about that then.
Of course we all know what this is about, shut the farm eat the animals. No one will complain except a few earth dwellers, they're only animals.
Some they that we need to advertise the thinkgs going on in Stoke-on-Trent more. Well last week when we had our City magazine delivered, there was nothing in there about that.
The Council reproduces a magazine telling us all about Stoke-on-Trent without actually telling us about Stoke-on-Trent. Bloody marvellous isn't it. How many more places are there hidden In Stoke. What about all our lovelly parks. Any one been to ongton Park lately. It used to have a fantastic cafe and boat house, Longton Park like all the other Parks in Stoke are always full on a Saturday and Sunday and more would come on the week if there was a place to eat or drink, but no council cuts forbid this. but we can spend copius amounts on keeping a bunch of prima donnas in work at the theatre.
I would go to the theatre but they arent much fun for the dog.
I have said this time and time again this council wastes money are useless ideas and projects that have no real benfit to the people of Stoke-on-Trent
Before you all start to moan, no I dont want to have a go at it myself.
I would just like to see more for uus to do in this CITY, not just Hanley, Hanley Forest Park has had all the money spent on it, Hanley town centre is billed as the city centre (rolls on floor laughing)
Why this council just doesnt get off its fat lazy behind and do something we really want.
Cycle races and pretty lights at the civic offices are nice but they cant be enjoyed by everyone,
Give us back our parks, inform people through the magazine of great places to visit in Stoke, cut down down on wastage, Im sure no one from Stoke saw the sunken ship at the recent flower show.
I have one last thing to say.
If this council had brought back the cafes and boat houses to our parks, had advertised places like the city farm, had actually given us something other than pretty lights at the civic centre, flower displays at Horticultural shows and cycle races for the minorities etc, if they then said there was a budget over spend, then at least we would all see some benfit from making a few cutbacks and increasing council tax a bit.
As it is I get absolutely NOWT from Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
I dont go to the theatre, I dont live near the pretty lights, I cant ride a bike, Flowers are nice but they bore me and Hanley FOrest park is miles away.
So SOT Council. make budget busting cuts in house, leave us alone and spend some of our money on the things we want
Or am I just Mad, Mad, Mad will I rant forever, should I just talk to the brick wall for as much good as it does me.
And then in another story they want to increase the amount of free loading free spending free whatever you can get councilors from 60 to 80, Even more council tax on even more wages. LESS FOR US, but hey we only pay them”