Printer-friendly versionEXCLUSIVE—INTERVIEW WITH
RHONDDA GEEKIE (Leader of East
Dunbartonshire Council)
You’ve had to make over £8m in savings this year
with more to come next year. How difficult has
been for you personally?
“The £8 million cuts were the most challenging because
less than a year ago this Council received a very positive
best value audit confirming we knew what we were doing
and where we were going. Now we have to rip the heart
out of all that good work because our grant falls so far
short of the money we need to deliver what we are
currently doing.”
Despite the need to make difficult decisions within the budget you have still
managed to ensure that EDC is the only Council in Scotland that has not made
cuts to the Voluntary Sector Budget by ensuring a standstill budget for the
coming year. What does this mean to you?
“I truly back the voluntary sector because I have first hand knowledge of the work it does.
In times when we have to look at different ways of delivering services we cannot afford to
put the sector in danger when we need their help to get us through this crisis. They can
deliver the extras whilst we can only afford the basics. We value the work done by the
sector and I think work in partnership unlike many authorities.”
Having committed to a standstill budget for the sector in this years budget,
what will it mean to you if this can not be delivered at the end of the year
owing to the underwriting of certain items through the Grants budget?
“The grants budget is underwriting three aspects of expenditure which many may not think
important. Hanging baskets and Christmas Lights are erected to make our town centres
attractive and to support the local economy. The Canal Festival has won a national award
and again supports the local economy. There was a proposal to make a cut to the grants
budget but we decided against that. We are now looking for financial backing not just for
these items but for extra money from other areas to replace any funding removed from the
grants budget this year. I hope we can recover this money but if it does not happen we will
keep the GAC fully informed. This work has already started alongside reviewing the criteria
for grants.”
May people think next year is potentially going to be more difficult financially
for Council budgets? If this is the case what will you be doing to try and
alleviate any negative effect on Community services and ensure Council
continue to support the voluntary sector?
“Next year will again be very challenging and even this year we may see further reductions
after the Westminster election. This year we will be working on a number of cost saving
projects in preparation for next years budget. I hope representatives from the whole
voluntary sector will accept an offer to work with us and attend meetings towards a
common goal of delivering more through partnership for our communities. I also think we
have to be more open and honest about what we are all doing. We have to embrace
change especially if this results in a better outcome for the public. Co-production is the aim
and I hope that work will put us all in a better place by the end of the year.”