Blueprint for the future

The blueprint proposal, known as the new operating model, will outline a new way of working for the council and will go before a meeting of the cabinet on Monday July 15.

Following last year’s external auditor’s report and LGA peer review, it was clear that the council’s current way of working would not deliver on the savings needed to create a financially stable council in the future. 

The council took swift action to introduce a range of precautionary measures last autumn, which included a spending review to safeguard against budget pressures.

Now, the new operating model will go even further by streamlining services and making council-wide improvements by reducing duplication, improving processes, maximising digital and technological opportunities, and creating a culture that supports the changes.

This will ensure the council can continue to deliver services with limited financial resources that are in the best interests of residents.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said:

The report to members has laid bare the position we find ourselves in and why we are forging ahead to change the way we work to improve productivity and efficiencies.

This will allow us to better meet the ever-increasing demand on essential services such as children’s and adult social care.

We have already made great strides in identifying savings through our spending review, but we need to go further to ensure we can secure financial stability in the future and safeguard those essential services.

It means moving away from our old ways of working, building on the expertise of staff and creating a council that is fit for the future that can deliver the very best for the residents we serve.

Cabinet will be asked to support the proposal for the new operating model when it meets on July 15.

Full cost proposals will then be brought back to cabinet for approval later this year.