PR1508/JAE/MF
15 December 2011
Mid Sussex District Council has kept costs low, made significant financial savings and demonstrated effective financial planning over the last 12 months, according to the Audit Commission. This news will be welcomed by residents, knowing that they receive value for money during what has been, and continues to be, a very challenging time.
Each year, the Audit Commission prepares an Annual Audit Letter to summarise its findings and share them with the Council. The Annual Audit Letter for 2010/11 was presented to Mid Sussex District Council’s Audit Committee at a meeting held on Tuesday 13 December 2011.
Like all Councils across the country, Mid Sussex District Council has faced an extremely testing year financially. The economic forecast for the UK remained difficult and the Coalition Government’s focus on deficit reduction measures meant that the public sector has faced, and will continue to face, an unprecedented squeeze on its funding.
The Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, in October 2010, provided a great deal of uncertainty for the public sector and made financial planning extremely difficult, but Mid Sussex District Council was praised by the Audit Commission for carrying out a thorough examination of all potential outcomes.
In the Annual Audit Letter, the Audit Commission said; “Scenario planning meant that you were well prepared for the financial settlement before the details were confirmed and your plans were not disrupted. You continue to maintain your previous strong performance in keeping costs low compared to other similar Councils.”
Mid Sussex District Council has a good track record in achieving efficiencies and generating cost savings over the past few years. Following the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, the Council looked closely at every service it provides, identifying new ways of working and ensuring savings were achieved without compromising the level of service experienced by residents. The focus was on prioritising resources within tighter budgets and achieving the required cost reductions by improving efficiency and productivity.
In the Annual Audit Letter, the Audit Commission report went on to say, “My review of the value for money profiles as part of my risk assessment showed that your expenditure per head on delivering services is considerably lower than the nearest neighbours. Although it is increasing, the increase is in line with other councils. This builds on your previous strong performance in keeping costs low. Costs have not risen noticeably per head of the population in any service for the last four years.”
The findings of the Audit Commission were welcomed by Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards who was pleased the Council had been recognised for the way it had managed the significant reduction in funding.
“By planning ahead, keeping costs to a minimum and improving the efficiency of our services, Mid Sussex District Council is well positioned to stay financially resilient through these tough economic times,” said Councillor Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Cabinet Member for Finance and Service Delivery. “Our funding may have been reduced, but we were well prepared. By finding new ways of working, we’ve made taxpayers’ money go further and avoided the cuts in services many other Councils have made.
“The need to make significant savings will continue for many years and we will do everything we can to protect taxpayers, ensure value for money and deliver the highest possible quality services to the public.”
ENDS
