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Well, the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) has hit the streets, and the anticipated reduction in grant has befallen local government. Of particular note is that the potential front loading of reductions has not been used. Cuts in government grant have been a normal occurrence for rural district councils during the last 10 years. In Stratford's case, the proportion of expenditure funded by government grant has fallen from 61% to less than 50%. The CSR will mean that, at the end of 2014/2015, government grant will be about 42% of our expenditure. The difference for this CSR period is that councils will not be able to rely on council tax increases to make up the reduction in government grant. And that alone means we are in for a greater period of change. Paul Lankester is chief executive of Stratford-upon-Avon DC At the recent SOLACE conference, colleagues were describing the lengths that had to be gone through in getting difficult decisions made in their councils. With many councils facing whole council elections in 2011, significant reductions in council services would lead to major political issues for ruling administrations. This is a time for officers to lead members to evidenced-based decision-making. The Government has created a climate where many are expecting the worst, so there is the opportunity to make bold decisions, if we can provide clarity to politicians. The use of public consultation to inform service reductions can only help to achieve the transformed local government that is the country's lot, and we need to lead, coerce and negotiate like we have never done before, to enable the necessary changes to be made. In three years' time, local government must be as strong a part of the public sector as ever, so we have to be able to say we have met the challenge of CSR, and have delivered better, more focused priority services as a result. Residents must also hold their councils in high esteem, so this is not a time for the weak-willed. To be an effective council, improving the quality of life for our communities staff, councillors and the public must be engaged in what the future services will look like. So, as Toy Story's Buzz Lightyear says: ‘To infinity and beyond!"

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WHITEHALL

District View

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