So where are we going and when we get there what will it be like?

In my previous blogs I have laid out as briefly as possible where we have come from and where we are now. The reasons for a new approach to our function, centring about the financial situation are clear, we have to change otherwise the future looks grim. I noted today that press pundits were predicting a continuance of this fiscal challenge until 2018, my projections which determine our direction do not go beyond 2015 and do not take into account the effect of inflation in reducing our income in real terms. There is every possibility that in December this year, further reductions will be announced by the Chancellor and by all accounts they might be even more stringent than those already experienced. My own opinion is that we could easily be wrestling with cuts approaching 45/48% of our 2010 funding. This would mean a complete rethink of what services we can continue to deliver as well as finding new ways to do things. Community’s expectation and 'needs' as opposed to 'wants' will be central to what our deliveries look like. As a Council we will have to explore every opportunity for income sources and cost reductions, in business parleys we will have to 'squeeze our assets' as well as taking every opportunity to explore other funding streams from Government initiatives like the City Deal and indeed anything else on offer. 'Invest to save' will have to be our mantra and every process will have to be subject to a fit for purpose exercise as you will have seen from the debate about Council offices and accommodation. None of this should be underestimated as it will represent a 'sea change' in what services we deliver, how we deliver them and perhaps more importantly how our community sees priorities. We have, in fact started the process with projects like Mudeford Wood Community Centre, devolving responsibility to communities and ensuring savings in the medium to long term. Our involvement in the immerging 'Health and Wellbeing' boards follows the pattern of partnership with Dorset Districts which has seen such dramatic falls in crime and disorder over the last four years and the resultant notional savings to the public purse. And lastly, just what changes will be seen in community’s ability to communicate with us as a Council. The shift to electronic away from face to face will, I know meet traditionalist opposition but the reality is that unless we embrace this change, unless we refine the services we offer to represent the 21st century we will be building a legacy which will be unsustainable. This leads to my next blog which will explore how we can contribute to the ‘growth’ agenda. .