COUNCIL services are set to go under close scrutiny in an effort to save £100M over the next five years.
Rochdale Council bosses announced a new effciency programme on Monday.
It is set to review all of its services to find efficiencies and save money. The programme will include a review of how council departments can better work together and will also introduce a new senior management structure to cut costs.
A council spokesman said the needs of local residents and businesses 'will be at the heart of the programme as the council aims to provide a better customer experience and greater value for money'.
Pam Smith, Rochdale Council's executive director for transformation, said: "The current economic climate means all councils have to find ways to provide the same services for less money.
"Our customers and the service that they receive will continue to be our number one priority - the major changes that take place will be about the way the council works and is structured. Those changes should also lead to better services and outcomes for local people."
For more on this story see Saturday's Observer.

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Most recent user comments 6 of 6
8/07/2009 at 08:51 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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Rochdale Council (or rather its taxpayers) could easily save £100,000,000 in ONE year - and probably get a better service for their money.
The problem is that Rochdale is infamous/notorious for having an officer led council. As such most councillor wouldn't say boo to a goose or challenge mismanagement or stupid vain decisions.
Those councillors that have the temidity to try to hold the council to account usually 'go' quickly.
This creates a scandlous situation where Rochdale Council is not properly held to account.
That is why it is so important for the media, public and organisations such as the Taxpayers' Alliance ask for the fact and truth about where our hard earned money is being wasted.
£100 million savings in a year from Rochdale Council? How?
1. Scrap the Rochdale Development Agency. Past dismal results prove it isn't fit for purpose.
2. Scrap the "Impact Partnership" Just how much is this deal really costing RMBC? Job creation- phooey. There must be fully scrutiny into how much these commercial services are costing our borough.
3. Scrap the wasteful PFI schemes (local new schools, street lighting etc) that means that we pay over the odds on tick for decades for shoddy, expensive services.
4. A simple cull of the flabby tier of senior executives at Rochdale Council, Impact Partneship, RDA and other associated QUALGOS. Back dated performance related pay for the rest. If they haven't/don't deliver good value for money service then they should go. No golden handshakes, bonuses or pension deals.
5. Scrap the crazy scheme for new Rochdale Council offices "Yelloway/Partnership House" Apparently £60million for this tin shed. (more like £70 million plus crippling interest and PFI service charges and contractual red tape).
6. How much has already been squandered on the farcical "town centre regeneration"? A seven figure sum. Plus more seven figure sums to come.
£100,000,000 can easily be saved in just ONE year. About a BILLION of OUR money in less than 25 years
A responsible journalist should investigate the waste and vain, crass civic stupidly that has been going on in Rochdale in the past few years.
The truth is out there.
Rochdalians deserve to know what has been going on in their name.
Hard working, decent people deserve better than this shocking, farcical civic waste.
7/07/2009 at 15:46 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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2/07/2009 at 16:50 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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2/07/2009 at 16:38 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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1/07/2009 at 09:07 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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30/06/2009 at 14:06 Offensive or Inappropriate?
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