Andrew Selous
Main Page: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con)
1. What recent assessment he has made of the scope for local authorities to make savings by reducing waste and inefficiency.
Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con)
16. What recent assessment he has made of the scope for local authorities to make savings by reducing waste and inefficiency.
Mr Pickles
Thank goodness someone is paying attention to what is going on.
To be helpful, I have published “50 ways to save”, a practical guide to councils on how they can make the most of their budgets to protect front-line services and keep council tax down.
Andrew Selous
Will the Secretary of State commend Central Bedfordshire councillors who, while taking out £60 million of costs, have transformed all 12 libraries, brought back into use a leisure centre and greatly improved it, set up a reablement service and provided extra care housing for the frail elderly. Does that not show what a relentless focus on front-line service and value for money can achieve?
Mr Pickles
It is some time since I visited Central Bedfordshire council. I hope that I can visit very soon. The work is very impressive and clearly demonstrates how a good council, looking carefully at what it spends, can protect and enhance local services. I look forward to an early visit.