COUNCIL chiefs will put services under the spotlight to identify savings as they work to close a potential budget gap of more than £3 million over the next three years.

Councillors with responsibility for particular areas of operations will be quizzed about cuts and saving options in the ‘star chamber’ – a useful method which will help Weymouth and Portland Borough Council set out budget options.

Autumn is a time of uncertainty for councils which, already crippled by massive reductions in funding, will be examining budgets and wondering how much they will be getting from the government in the financial settlement. There is further uncertainty with the “lack of clarity” around the super councils plan – if and when it will be implemented, which could lead to the borough council being abolished – and changes in council funding following the General Election.

W&PBC is planning on the basis it has to balance budgets for the next few years – the total budget gap between 2018-2021 (before action is taken) is £2.4 million but that is reduced to £1.6 million if council tax is increased and savings are made. The gap for the current year is more £1.1 million.

Savings have already been identified, and as well as the ‘star chamber’ the council will be going through budgets with a toothcomb, finding efficiency savings and ways to increase income.

Despite a challenging financial environment, a report says the borough council has a “very good track record” of balancing its budget. Major savings have been achieved through the partnership between Weymouth and Portland, and West and North Dorset district councils which protected frontline services. Since 2010 senior management posts at the three councils have been slashed from 76 to 17. Overall the total workforce (including senior managers) has reduced from 730 to 514.

Giving a budget update and outlining the process for setting the 2018/10 budget, strategic director Jason Vaughan says: “The financial challenges facing the public sector since the credit crunch are well documented. The austerity measures have seen significantly reduced resources for councils.”

To put things in context and explain what sort of pressures the council is under, Mr Vaughan says spending for the current year is £50.3 million – but £30.7 million of this must be spent on housing benefits.

Furthermore, the way councils are funded has changed.

Thursday’s scrutiny & performance committee will be asked to consider the proposed process for setting the 2018/19 budget and note the latest financial forecasts.