Lean times

OLDHAM is to become a slimmed-down council providing fewer services as it braces itself for massive cuts.

And civic centre leaders have revealed that more top management posts are to be axed to help balance the budget. As already revealed by the Chronicle, it could stop directly providing everything from social care services to lollipop ladies and public toilets.

Instead it will commission more services from private companies and organisations such as co-operatives, social enterprises and voluntary groups to help save £57 million by April, 2014.

It will also team up with other councils to commission some services — giving them greater bargaining powers — and provide services for other local authorities in Greater Manchester in areas where it excels and vice versa. Today’s announcement of how much councils will receive in Government grants has been delayed and is now expected on December 9.

But local authorities are bracing themselves for massive budget cuts for years to come following the chancellor’s comprehensive spending review.

Many have been making preparations for a reduction in their spending of around 28 per cent over the next four years.

They will have to provide fewer services directly and commission more from other people.

Council leader Howard Sykes said: “Oldham Council is going to be much leaner. We are going to be directly employing a lot less people than we have in the past.”

He said that any jobs that would be lost had been included in the 800 already announced by the council. But there will be a bigger reduction in senior management posts on top of those already unveiled.

The council will continue to monitor and “police” services it commissions which could also include its four care homes.

Councillor Sykes admitted the new way of working was a “risk” but added: “Doing nothing isn’t an option. We can sit here doing nothing and get things done to us or we can get in front of the game.

“I think we are in front of the game - there are other councils sitting there like rabbits in the headlights.”

A report outlining the changes to the council’s role will be heard by the cabinet committee on Monday. The details will then be announced in the new year.