Maidenhead & Windsor

Modernising the way it works and delivering services more efficiently are helping the Maidenhead Royal Borough save council taxpayers' money.

Cllr David Eglise, lead member for resources, has revealed that the Maidenhead council is on target to achieve £2.8 million in efficiency savings by the end of the next financial year (2007/08).

The savings stem from the Delivering Excellence programme, which includes a series of detailed reviews of services, identifying how they can 'work smarter' with more efficient and cost-effective approaches to delivering services to local residents and customers.

Maidenhead Cllr Eglise said: "We have left no stone unturned in our search for better and more efficient ways of working.

"This has been recognised by Audit Commission inspectors who have commented favourably on our ambitious programme of change, which has included the opening of the customer service centre, a long hard look at our accommodation needs and the recent council restructuring that is placing even more emphasis on front line services that put our customers first.

"I am delighted to report that we are about to reap the rewards of the Delivering Excellence programme with almost £3 million of efficiency savings, meaning that more of our precious resources can be made available to support front line services."

Other major initiatives which have contributed to the Maidenhead council's efficiency savings include a review of home to school transport, a revised home care contract, new contracts for telephone services, and reviews of facilities management and visitor management (the latter involving the move to more central premises in the Windsor Royal Station complex). Smaller initiatives range from better deals on stationery and consumables to bottled water supplies.

Cllr Eglise added: "While I am very pleased with the current efficiency savings forecast, we will not rest on our laurels. We have more to achieve and our determination to make the council an even more efficient and effective organisation will continue."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead