Find ways to save money, council leader tells workers

By Chris Young
Council workers have been asked to find ways to save money after Government pressure to slash the local authority's budget. On Monday Cheshire East Council leader Wesley Fitzgerald sent a letter to employees, informing them that despite looming cuts, the council's Cabinet preferred a policy of "hope rather than frustration".
As part of the national drive to cut the country's deficit the council was asked to pay back a grant of £1.5m.
In response to that and further cuts, Coun Fitzgerald asked staff to come up with "radical solutions" to deal with the cuts without harming services but said there would not be a recruitment freeze. In the letter, dated 12th July, he issued an invitation for staff to come forward with ideas to cut council red tape and prevent money being needlessly spent on obsolete services. The letter reads: "Cheshire East is determined to provide a great service for the local taxpayer. We are in good shape to move forward and to seize the opportunities that arise from these changes as well as address the threats. "But it will be hard work and there are some difficult decisions ahead. We need to galvanise ourselves to generate some really radical solutions and allow ourselves to make it happen.
"The Cabinet, corporate management team and I would like to invite you all to help us move forward and provide us with your views based on your experience and skills." The letter stated that staff making suggestions could remain anonymous. The council is setting up an efficiency task group that will meet weekly to decide how the cuts will be made. The councillors running the group, Coun Frank Keegan and Coun Rod Menlove, plan to meet staff at the meetings to discuss the more "exciting and useful suggestions". Coun Fitzgerald adds: "I am genuinely wanting to capture your ideas and suggestions and make those a reality where there is agreement and a sound business case. "Please embrace this challenge in the spirit that is intended and take this opportunity to shape your council for the future. Prime Minister David Cameron issued a similar call for suggestions last week. It prompted Unison, the workers' union for public services, to send open letter demanding a cut to bank bonuses rather than to public services.

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