Many local councils are merging, or considering merging http://bit.ly/hplFZB but so far West Berkshire Council has remained silent on this, apart from sharing the odd minor service.
Big savings could be made by slashing senior management - the full costs of the CEO alone would pay for a few more care workers. We could also save hundreds of thousands by halving the number of committees and reducing the number of councillors. So why isn't this on the cards?
WBC's budget simulator didn't allow for mergers to be considered, of course. Is this another case of officers calling the shots while elected members do what they're told? Or is it that councillors are, just a little, addicted to power and status? Someone needs to have a word with that nice Mr Pickles.
I've got an idea.... Why not merge the six Councils in Berkshire under one umbrella, thereby saving wods of money. You could call it something like... oh I dunno... Berkshire County Council?
We could make six chief executives and dozens of other senior executives very happy by giving them early retirement with a massive payout and a gold plated pension.
We could make six chief executives and dozens of other senior executives very happy by giving them early retirement with a massive payout and a gold plated pension.
Unlike us mere mortals they are like the bankers and financial sector. They just can't lose? Heads they win tails we lose?
Well, here are some of the questions I shall be asking any Libdem or Conservative canvassers that turn up on my doorstep over the next few weeks. (In spite of the Libdem's attempts to distance themselves from the coalition government, they are one and the same from my point of view.)
1. What could we save by merging West Berkshire with other unitary authorities? 2. If you don't know, why not? 3. If you do know, what are you doing to implement these savings?
We know, of course, that we could save the salary of one chief executive and his team. I don't particularly care whether it's our own Nick Carter, to be honest (and you're not going to like this) he seems competent enough whenever I've come across him. What I am concerned about is that senior staff will find reasons to protect their jobs while cutting those on the front line, and there's no doubt that they are already cutting front line staff.
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