Council consulting on £64m savings plan

Council Leader, Colin Lambert, says the council has been faced with a huge challenge

Rochdale Borough Council is consulting residents on how it can carry on delivering important services whilst saving another £64 million by 2015.

This new target follows the savings already agreed for this financial year.

An outline plan was agreed at a meeting of the council’s Cabinet on Monday (11 July) and an online consultation is now underway with roadshows taking place across the borough later this month.

The plans are available online at www.rochdale.gov.uk/64million where a short questionnaire can be completed. Information will also be available in local libraries and council customer service centres, where residents can use the free computers or pick up a printed copy of the questionnaire.

Council Leader, Colin Lambert, said: “The only way we can achieve this level of savings is through an extensive redesign of our services.

“Whilst savings must be made, we want to ensure those services we provide in the future meet customer needs.

“As our outline plan has been based on the key priorities our customers set for the borough last year, it means those services important to our customers have been given close consideration.

“We need residents’ views on the plan; we need to know they’re clear about the challenge, our approach and most importantly how this will affect them.”

The roadshows get underway at venues across the borough on Friday 29 July, giving residents the chance to discuss the plans with council officers.

Venues include Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre, Middleton Arena, Morrisons Car Park in Heywood and The Co-operative store in Littleborough. The events are taking place between Friday 29 July and Sunday 7 August.

Here is a list of all the venues:

Friday 29 July:
Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre
11.00am-3.00pm
Inside venue

Middleton Market stall
11.00am-3.00pm
Inside venue

Heywood Magic Market stall
11.00am-3.00pm
Inside venue

Littleborough Co-op
11.00am-3.00pm
Inside venue

Saturday 30 July:
Rochdale Exchange
11.00am-3.00pm
Inside venue

Rochdale Asda
11.00am-3.00pm
Inside venue

Middleton Market stall
11.00am-3.00pm
Inside venue

Littleborough Coop
11.00am-3.00pm
Inside venue

Heywood Sports Village
11.00am-3.00pm
Inside venue

Saturday 6 August:
Middleton Arena
9.00am – 12.00pm
In mobile unit

The Butts, Rochdale
12.30pm – 4.00pm
In mobile unit

Sunday 7 August:
Heywood – Morrisons Car Park
9.00am – 12.00pm
In mobile unit

Littleborough Watersports Centre
12.30pm – 3.00pm
In mobile unit