"Innovative" approach needed as Councillors get ready to consider budget

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Leader has vowed the Council will "act quickly" amid "more and more demand" for services as discussions about next year's budget get underway.

Councillors will consider a report on the Council's finances at a Cabinet meeting next Thursday (December 14).

And the report focuses on how the Council can reduce spending through a planned programme of transformation across the organisation in order to balance the budget and look to save an estimated £9million.

"There is no doubt we are facing significant budget challenges and future funding streams have never been so uncertain, but we are going to approach these challenges in an innovative and thoughtful way through transformation," said the Council's Leader, Councillor Bob Cook.

He continued: "Because there is more and more demand for our services, we are spending more than ever before on key services. However, we remain ambitious for our Borough and getting a better future for everyone who lives, works and plays here. 

"This means that although it's clear we can no longer afford to work the way we have in the past, we are confident we can work with our partners and communities to put in place new and innovative approaches which will not only save money but also reshape what we do for the better and in the best interests of our residents. This will be called the 'Powering Our Futures' programme.

"Powering Our Futures focuses on our talented workforce, who we know will step up to the challenging budget situation by using their knowledge and skills to work in innovative, adaptable and dynamic ways.

"The focus now is to make sure we act quickly and decisively, with the first of our transformation reviews taking place between now and the new year."

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