A significant programme of investment and transformation to ensure Colchester City Council’s has long-term resilience was endorsed at Cabinet last night.
Set against a context of ongoing government funding cuts and growing demand for services, the council has already saved around £16 million since 2018 and must now deliver further savings of £6.262 million over the next three years, with rising demand and costs expected.
The report considered at the council’s Cabinet meeting last night sets out plans to reduce its operating costs by 25 per cent over the next three years, through a mix of transformation, income generation, investment and savings. The plans are called ‘Fit for the Future’ and will mean the council reshapes what it does and how it delivers its services, ensuring the council and its services are affordable, fit for the future of the city, and for the people that live, work and visit Colchester.
Reflecting on the Cabinet meeting last night, Cllr David King, Leader of the Council, said: “The budget agreed by Full Council requires the challenging mix of deep change, savings, further review, and income raising set out in our transformation programme. We will do all we can to keep what matters most, whilst ensuring that the Council takes the steps needed to ensure we can balance the budget and live within our means.
“We remain committed to investing in our city and are delivering programmes that invest over £40 million of external funding into the city centre, helping to boost our economy and businesses. There will be some tough times ahead for the council, but we are determined to ensure we are a city fit for the future.”
Lindsay Barker, Deputy Chief Executive of Colchester City Council, said: “Our Fit for the Future plans describe how we will respond to our significant financial pressures while continuing to transform our services for the benefit of staff and residents. Our employees will be key to this so the plans also explain how our workforce will be supported and developed through this change to ensure we are fit for the future needs of our residents and businesses.”
The Fit for the Future plans and related documents can be read here.
Set against a context of ongoing government funding cuts and growing demand for services, the council has already saved around £16 million since 2018 and must now deliver further savings of £6.262 million over the next three years, with rising demand and costs expected.
The report considered at the council’s Cabinet meeting last night sets out plans to reduce its operating costs by 25 per cent over the next three years, through a mix of transformation, income generation, investment and savings. The plans are called ‘Fit for the Future’ and will mean the council reshapes what it does and how it delivers its services, ensuring the council and its services are affordable, fit for the future of the city, and for the people that live, work and visit Colchester.
Reflecting on the Cabinet meeting last night, Cllr David King, Leader of the Council, said: “The budget agreed by Full Council requires the challenging mix of deep change, savings, further review, and income raising set out in our transformation programme. We will do all we can to keep what matters most, whilst ensuring that the Council takes the steps needed to ensure we can balance the budget and live within our means.
“We remain committed to investing in our city and are delivering programmes that invest over £40 million of external funding into the city centre, helping to boost our economy and businesses. There will be some tough times ahead for the council, but we are determined to ensure we are a city fit for the future.”
Lindsay Barker, Deputy Chief Executive of Colchester City Council, said: “Our Fit for the Future plans describe how we will respond to our significant financial pressures while continuing to transform our services for the benefit of staff and residents. Our employees will be key to this so the plans also explain how our workforce will be supported and developed through this change to ensure we are fit for the future needs of our residents and businesses.”
The Fit for the Future plans and related documents can be read here.
Page last reviewed: 14 March 2024