UNISON Budget Suggestions

In view of ongoing budget cuts within the Council, UNISON have been engaging with both the Council and the Councillors to bring forward our own list of money-saving or income-generating suggestions. We are fully committed to minimizing the negative impacts of this current austerity on employees. We appreciate the contribution of our members to some of these suggestions.

1. Blue Badge Dumfries & Galloway Council have the power to charge up to £20 for the issue of a Blue Badge (parking badge) but at the present this remains free for applicants. With around 3000 badges being issued each year by the council, this could potentially generate some much-needed revenue for the council.
2. Manage Major Events – £250k pa. The events supported in this strategy are for the majority all profit making before any public funding is provided. Many of the events companies are from out the region and the events themselves tend to be ring-fenced for businesses from outwith the region. Any events strategy needs to be managed more.
3. Roadworks Charge the utility companies for digging up roads and fine them for not properly relaying them after the work has been completed. Income generated would be based on how many roads are dug up.
4. Business Rates Double the business rates for empty units that have been empty for over 12mths. The empty units at the Midsteeple are all owned by large insurance companies who own them for tax write off purposes.
5. Pest Control and Dog Warden Service Discussions with the staff directly involved in delivering this service provision have identified that within current budgets and given a more commercial direction, the existing staff resources could be restructured to be more efficient, effective and encourage a higher income level than that previously achieved.
6. Parking Charges; Charges could be introduced for on-street and off-street parking. We understand that previous Council papers have indicated generating income of over £1 million.
7. Area Committee Discretionary Grant Funding; Reduce this by 100% saving about £1 million.
8. ERVS If it is extended and there is clear guidance on service priorities, possible savings in excess of £1 million could be made.
9. Gull Control Project; Introduce a charge to householders. Income in excess of £35k.
10. Third Sector Grant Funding; Consider areas of duplication of funding from both the Council and external partners. Possible savings in excess of £200k.
11. Leisure & Sport; Consider all options to generate savings and avoid compulsory redundancies. Possible savings in excess of £1 million & opportunities for income generation.
12. Fees & Charges; Review these across all Departments to maximise income by, increasing to full cost recover or reduce others to increase use of facilities generating more income as appropriate.
13. HR Policy & Procedures; Improve training to ensure consistent and efficient staffing practices. To add to already identified attendance maximisation savings and workplace efficiency.
14. Consultancy Fees; Remove consultancy fees to the minimum possible. Saving £1mil
15. Review payments to external organisations, commissions, grants, events; to avoid duplication or unnecessary service delivery.
16. Pool cars; Review the cost and efficiency of the current provision.
17. Redeployment income-generating opportunities The redeployment pool staff could be seconded to other organisations in the third or independent sectors thereby replacing the grants being awarded to these groups. This would help the Council engage with local Community groups and provide job enrichment and experience to the redeployed staff.
18. Sale of Property Assets The Council’s properties are being sold off without any considered commercial review of the potential to add value ie with planning permissions.
19. Service Reviews The ongoing reviews are being conducted at the same time, however separately, as the re-shaping of the Council and the ERVS campaign. This leaves the outcomes difficult to understand and implement.
20. Review of PPI contracts Our recommendation would be for the Council to review the existing contracts and consider whether the public is receiving best value. For example, Hexam Hospital PPI contract was bought out with funds from Northumbria Council loaned to Northumbria NHS. This saved £3mil a year to taxpayers
21. Returning the provision of Social Care – at present the Council underwrites all external contracts with Social Care Providers including all the non-profitable rural contracts. The Council commissions these services for twice the cost these providers actually pays their staff. Where is the rest of the money going? We believe taxpayers, the Council, the staff and the service users would benefit from taking back the Social Care inhouse and create considerable savings.