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Savings not cuts!
’This year’s
council budget like last was based on:
- improving services
- doing things more efficiently
- investing to save.
It was not about cutting services. Because of Watford’s poor
management in the past a lot of money can be saved without
reducing services.
How is this possible?
Over the years Watford Council let its costs shoot up – with
more staff than it needed to do the job. For example five press officers
where other councils would have just two. It had ‘more layers
of management than a wedding cake’.
Also, Watford was slow in investing in technology that
would save money and improve services.
Costs were high, services were poor and work practices
outdated.
‘
It’s like working in a time warp’, said one new member
of staff.
Government watchdog says reduce costs
The government’s official watchdog, the Audit Commission
has told the council it must reduce costs. It must also focus on
priorities
rather than trying to do a bit of everything.
Dorothy says: ‘We have protected services and are improving
them; we are investing in the future and making sure residents get
value for money.’
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