North Lanarkshire Council has agreed efficiency savings of over £10 million for the year ahead – helping the council to operate more effectively and deliver improved services for residents.

The council’s Policy and Resources Committee agreed this week (Tuesday 29 January) to a package of efficiency savings in 2008/09 totalling £10.482 million which have been identified from across the council. The money will be included in the council’s growth package for the 2008/09 budget which will be determined on Thursday 14 February.

Savings will be made in areas such as:

• reducing the cost of items regularly purchased by negotiating better contracts with suppliers;
• identifying energy efficiency measures such as improved management of water consumption in council properties;
• reducing staff absence levels though improved management systems; and
• streamlining organisational structure.

Council Leader Councillor Jim McCabe explained that this is good news for residents as this money will be reinvested straight back into vital local services which directly benefit local people. “The council is always looking for ways to be more efficient and make best use of our resources,” he said.

“We have identified a number of areas where, by changing the way that we do business, we can work better, save money and – importantly - deliver a better level of service to residents. Thanks to the council’s sound financial management, we can use the savings immediately to improve council services.

“Over the five year period to 2012 we have set ourselves a target of making efficiency savings totalling at least £50 million as part of our Service and People First change programme, and the savings in 2008/09 mean we remain ahead of this target. Through Service and People First and our continued financial prudence, we will make the organisation a more efficient and leaner organisation to keep pace with the changing needs of our communities and provide the best quality of service possible for residents – based on their priorities.”

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