News

Surrey Heath secures ongoing financial efficiencies

Released on 04 January 2010

Surrey Heath Borough Council has identified at least £548,000 worth of ongoing budget savings for 2010/11 following an internal review and realignment of its Corporate Services Directorate as part of a three year strategy which looks to build on the success of its Contact Centre for overall improved efficiency to customers.

The internal review of the Corporate Services Directorate started in January 2009 with a timetable to implement the changes by the end of March 2010.

The latest efficiencies have been made through areas such as IT, benefits, legal and finance, coming under the four service areas Customer Relations, Corporate Resources, Corporate Governance and Corporate Finance.

This is in addition to £300,000 ongoing savings achieved in 2009/10.

Leader of Surrey Heath Borough Council Cllr Moira Gibson said: "Our three year strategy for Corporate Services aims to achieve a sustainable service model for the future and build on the success of our Customer Contact Centre to improve services to our customers.

"By placing different services together which complement each other we have been able to achieve further efficiencies. I'm particularly pleased that these savings have been achieved without affecting frontline services.

"The review supports the council's objective of delivering services efficiently, effectively and economically by ensuring we continue to look at ways to provide value for money services at a lower cost."

Although still in a relatively strong financial position, the current difficult economic climate has affected the council's income from areas including planning application fees, land charges and building control fees.

Ongoing reviews in other council wide areas will aim to achieve a further £302,000 recurring savings from April 2010.