Tory Financial Incompetence: £15.5m of Surrey County Council savings written off

Commenting on the announcement that £15.5 million of projected savings in Surrey County Council's Adult Social Care budget is being written off, Liberal Democrat Adult Social Care Spokesperson Fiona White said "This is Tory financial incompetence of the highest order.

"It was clear from the beginning of this project that the proposed savings could not be made instantly and it would take several years to see the full effect of changes come through. I warned of problems at the time.

"Surrey's Conservative administration has constantly made a song and dance about the tens of millions they could save through Family, Friends and Community Support and what a 'new and innovative strategy' it is to provide services and save money. Now they've had to admit they will have a massive shortfall this year.

"The £15.5 million of abandoned savings are on top of £10 million planned for next year. How they will find a total cumulative saving of £25.5 million next year has to be a matter of grave concern.

"In addition the Conservative administration are saying they can find another £1.3 million under the mattress in 'management action saving plans', without saying what they are."

To make up for the shortfall the Conservative administration is having to take £14 million from reserves. Fiona White continued: "This £14 million could and should have been used to protect services in Surrey, not to plug holes in the Conservatives incompetent budget proposals."

ENDS

Document: Cabinet Report 25/3/14 refer to paras 15 - 20