Local authorities need to look beyond spending cuts, says PwC
The Midlands’ local authorities are having to face up to some “unpleasant truths” following the planned abolition of Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities by 2014. That’s according to public sector specialists at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), who say that authorities are under increasing pressure to deliver “more for less”.
PwC said that local authorities must now look beyond simple spending cuts to secure the best possible outcome for their residents.
In the Midlands, all Primary Care Trusts and the region’s two Strategic health Authorities are due to be abolished.
Michael Kitts, partner and public sector specialist at PwC in the Midlands, said:
“Local authorities are effectively being asked to deliver more for less and while this is challenging, they shouldn’t lose sight of the opportunity that exists for them to re-draw the map of public sector services in the region.
“By staying focused on a long-term strategy that seeks to secure local outcomes rather than adopting traditional service delivery models, it is possible for them to deliver the required spending cuts at the same time as securing better outcomes that will win the support of local communities.
“Some of the tough decisions have now been taken in principle and it is time to focus on ways to make the most of the money they have to spend. However, just how challenging things are will not become clear until October.”
