Friday 15 October 2010

It feels like we are all waiting with bated breath for next week's Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) announcements on public sector spending. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will stand up on Wednesday at 12.30 in Parliament and announce how he intends to address the country's financial deficit - the gap between what we currently spend each year and what the government currently receives from us all in taxes. It's a very big gap.

It's clear to me that we in local government face a large cut in our numerous grants from central government. I shan't guess a number today because it will almost certainly be wrong. What I would say is that the Chancellor ' s announcement will change fundamentally everything we do and how we do it.

I thought I'd share with you today the important questions that we are each going to have to ask as we assess each of our current services and decide how we deliver these in the future.

1. is the activity essential to meet Wiltshire Councils priorities?
2. does Wiltshire Council need to fund this activity?
3. does the activity provide substantial economic value?
4. can the activity be targeted to those most in need?
5. how can the activity be provided at a lower cost?
6. how can the activity to provided more effectively?
7. can the activity be provided by a non-state provider or citizens, wholly or in partnership?
8. can non-state providers be paid to carry out the activity according to the results they achieve?
9. can local voluntary or community bodies, as opposed to Wiltshire Council, provide the activity?

Have a think about these questions in relation to the service in which you work. Let me know what you're thinking.

Thanks for reading and talk again next week.