I became a Councillor to make a difference to my local community, however with the raft of further 'amputations', proposed by Central Government for Local Authorities, it becomes more and more difficult for even the most brilliant Councillors to make any positive or constructive changes beyond core services for the better for their communities.... Frustrating yes, but as Tony Blair once put it (or was it Alistair Campbell?) Things can only get better. But first The Council needs to contend with 2011.
As a result the IW Council will need to save £32m, over the next four years (£17m of this to front loaded next year). In the coming weeks Councillors (from all groups) will be balancing which services are reviewed. These are likely to include:
- Wightbus
- The Cowes Floating Bridge.
- Tourist Information Centres.
- Libraries.
- Rural Bus Services. (The Government anticipates bus companies WILL to do their bit, socially!)
- Staffing. (The Council will only be expected to carry out core services)
- Heritage Museum
- Public Toilets.
- The Sports Development Grant.
- Leisure Centres
- Consolidation of Care Contracts and Personal Budgets
- Combining Services currently undertaken within Children and Family Services.
In the coming weeks, the Government are looking to introduce the cornerstone of their Big Society Agenda- The Decentralisation and Localism Act. Ironically, this will empower local communities, and could ultimately give local Town and Parish Council’s greater responsibilities, such as taking on the roles currently undertaken by local authorities.
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