District View

摘要

Providing hope is something that we have been hearing a lot about with the election of US president, Barack Obama. But, in these uncertain and very worrying times, communities are also entitled to look closer to home - to their local councils - for direction and support. This is a truly challenging act for councils as they themselves are impacted on from the dramatic fall in interest rates. Collapsing income streams and rising costs combine with increasing demands for services, as people find themselves in difficult times. Local authorities across the country have had to shed jobs and cut services. And these cuts have a rapid impact in the local economy, as well as making local news, reinforcing the gloom from the global and national level. Even where councils such as Dover have managed to absorb the shocks and savings by taking firm and early action, the absorption is not painless, since the establishment is reduced, putting additional pressure on remaining staff. Difficult and painful sacrifices have had to be made, including looking at staff benefits such as the removal of private medical cover. However, the vast majority of staff recognise that councils continue to be good employers, offering competitive salaries, particularly in the context of the local economy and the current climate, generous leave arrangements, flexible working and index-linked final salary pensions which are now the envy of everyone outside the public sector. These staff remain committed to rising to the challenge of providing improved services to our communities when they need them more than ever.