Where we have already made savings

The list below shows the areas where we have already been able to make savings. Before we made these changes we consulted with the residents who use these services, as well as staff, local councillors and trade unions:

We have reduced the size of our senior management team and streamlined our departments. The number of Directors has gone from seven to four and Heads of Service reduced by three, including the post of Assistant Chief Executive.
Sharing some of our HR, Finance and IT back-office operations with Darlington Council achieves £680k of savings each year. Other back-office reductions in Adult Financial Services, have saved £134,000.
We have reduced the amount of money we spend on computer equipment and telecommunications for staff by £230,000 per year.
We have reviewed the amount of mileage allowance provided to staff and also introduced paid-for parking in some of our offices. This has saved the Council £800,000.
By freezing inflation on the supplies we buy and removing vacant posts we have been able to save £2.6 million.
We have been able to get a better price for our major disabled adaptations. This has saved £580,000 since 2006 and also meant we can provide a further 165 disabled adaptations.
The North East councils now buy their library books together and save 40% on buying them individually. A similar agreement operates to purchase our energy across the region to achieve major economies.
Reducing PR and marketing spend by £300,000 including from March 2011 a reduction in the number of Stockton News from six issues to four a year.
We have installed 1,200 street lights that can now be dimmed saving on our annual energy costs.
A reduction in the number of planning applications due to the recession has resulted in a streamlining of our planning function, achieving £436,000 of savings this year and next, while maintaining high performance.
We have combined the management of some of our adult day care services to improved premises at the Halcyon Centre. This has not only improved client and carer satisfaction but achieved savings of £35,000 per year. Also, due to diminishing demand, the Parkview Care Home closed in 2008 and is now being developed into an improved extra-care facility. The result will be a better service and savings of £445,000.
Supporting more people to live independently has meant that Blenheim Care Home is no longer needed saving £230,000.
Alternative services provided for adults across the Borough meant the STEPs at Titheburn Service could cease with savings of £115,000.
Streamlining our Education Improvement Team to make it more focused on raising schools standards has resulted in £280,000 of savings each year.