Westminster: we can save millions

Author: Local Government Chronicle - Feb 18, 2010

Millions of pounds can be slashed from Westminster’s £2bn public services bill through greater collaboration, according to a council report.

Police, health and council services should be brought together "under one roof", according to Westminster City Council Total Place-style report analysing public expenditure in the borough.

Procurement, communications and customer service were all areas that could be merged in the future, the report, Mapping the money, said.

Key findings:

* Average combined spending per ward in Westminster was around £75m, with the lowest combined spend in Knightsbridge and Belgravia (£34m) and the highest in Church Street ward (£126m).

* Nearly £200m is spent on children and young people by Westminster Council – the largest single area of expenditure followed by housing services (£146m) and social care (£127m).

* Some £86m was spent on services provided specifically to non-residents or "out of borough" users.

* Around £460m was paid in benefits and pensions across Westminster.

Westminster leader, Colin Barrow, said: "We can make major savings over the next ten years while still delivering high quality services.

"But this can only be done if we pool our resources and expertise and bring the public sector together under one roof to strip out waste, cut red tape and end duplication."

Westminster chief executive, Mike More, said: "Now is the time for local and national agencies to combine their resources, expertise and vision to deliver seamless services across the public sector for the next ten years."

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