9:40pm Thursday 2nd September 2010
By Emma Dunn
SWEEPING changes could leave Swindon Council unrecognisable, says leader Rod Bluh.
Coun Bluh gave the stark assessment when questioned about the proposed changes to adult social care by a member of the public at the Equalities Advisory Forum.
He said: “There’s a lot of proposals going around for lots of things and until there’s a cabinet meeting there’s no final decision.
“We’re about to go through an amazing period of change, which none of us know, quite frankly, how it’s going to look at the end of it.”
Last month, the council revealed proposals to scrap services such as free children’s playschemes and change the organisation of day care services in a move that would save £750,000 next year.
Other proposals include closing the County Ground Lifestyle centre, slashing the Connexions service, reducing the opening hours of the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery to four days a week, changing the opening hours of Swindon Direct and reviewing the Connect Supported Employment service, which helps people with learning difficulties find jobs.
The move is to cover a £45million shortfall expected over the next three years – £1.4m of grant funding for this year has already been withdrawn.
“Decisions are going to be made with some speed and we’re all going to have to work twice as hard to keep on track,” said Coun Bluh.
“There are going to be issues. It’s about making sure people get answers. Obviously there’s a lot of decision areas and issues here and we do not have all the right people in the room to get the right answers.”
Coun Bluh was also asked about the use of contracts and commissioning by the council.
“A lot of this stuff isn’t new but a lot of it’s going to become more important,” he said.
“The issue of contracts and commissioning is going to become bigger.
“It’s down to the strength of the contracts.
“If the contracts are not right in the first place you’re not going to get the right results.
“There’s going to be a lot more contracts and a lot more issues and the issue of openness and transparency.”
Budget proposals will be discussed at a cabinet meeting on September 22 before the full council meeting on October 7.
For the full list of proposals visit www.swindon.gov.uk/budget2010.
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