Major Spending Review Planned At LCC

A major efficiency review is set to begin next month as Leicestershire County Council looks for new ways to save money.

It will examine all £1.3bn  of the council’s annual spending – to help close a £90m budget gap forecast by 2029.

The review will focus on bringing down costs through prevention work, how the council buys things and reducing duplication, as well as speeding up projects already in place – such as reducing the growing cost of children’s social care placements.

Leader of the Reform UK-controlled council, Dan Harrison, said: “We were elected to cut costs. With a sizable £90m gap looming, doing nothing isn’t an option and we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job.

“We’re leading the way for other councils with this pioneering deep dive. Services are critical and we’re supported by a great team of officers who will be working alongside consultants.

“We want new insight and ideas and getting fresh pairs of eyes from outside the council will help us get maximum value for our Council Tax payers. The benefits will by far outweigh the cost over the long term.”

A proposal to appoint a consultant to oversee the work will go before councillors next week with initial recommendations expected early next year.