Council makes a saving of £1.5 million on public services

Perth and Kinross Council has made savings of more than

£1.5 million after reviewing many of its services.

The details have emerged in a paper prepared by Jim Valentine, depute chief executive and chief operating officer with the council, and they highlight how 21 projects have been embarked on by council chiefs as part of the initiative.

The transformation projects are aimed at delivering savings while sustaining a “high quality service.”

In Mr Valentine’s report, he states that 12 of the 21 projects are ‘on target,’ with seven having ‘some issues.’ He reveals that one project – a corporate project asset management review – is ‘at risk’ and another – a review of catering services – is marked as ‘remedial action required.’

He says the total revenue budget savings made so far from all completed projects amounts to just over £1.5m. The programme began in 2015.

“The council’s transformation strategy is focused on continuing the council’s pro-active approach to public service reform,” Mr Valentine says in his report.

“A major part of the transformation strategy is being delivered through a programme of transformation reviews. The programme currently comprises 21 projects which are developing new ways of working to sustain high quality service delivery, while achieving a challenging scale of savings.”

Mr Valentine states that savings of £123,000 were made following a review of the council’s education and children’s services.

The council also made savings of £180,000 through a review of their community campuses contract.

He also reveals that the local authority removed four projects as part of the transformation programme. These consisted of a review of residential care, a review of day care services, a review of community care packages for adults and the council’s communities first service.

The report will be discussed by the council’s strategic policy and resources committee tomorrow.