Something To Shout About!..Have Your Say On Services

Here's a unique opportunity for residents in the Woking area to have their say about services throughout the county in the run up to tomorrow's Government spending cuts.

It comes after Surrey’s public sector organisations teamed up to call on the county’s residents to voice their own opinions.

In the week that the Government will announce major budget reductions for public services in the Comprehensive Spending Review, Surrey’s public sector organisations (including Surrey County Council, Surrey Police Authority, Surrey Police, NHS Surrey and borough and district councils) have launched the Have Your Say campaign.

The initiative will give residents the opportunity to shape the delivery of future public services. Although Surrey’s public sector organisations are at different stages in their individual consultations with residents, all are keen to hear the public’s views through the new campaign.

Surrey County Council Leader, Dr Andrew Povey, said: "Difficult decisions will have to be made by all of us in the public sector over the next few years. A lot has already been done but the gravity of the national financial position means much more change will be necessary. It is vital residents feel they are getting value for money from their public services and it is therefore essential that they have their say on what changes take place.

"Even ahead of the Government’s spending announcement this week Surrey County Council already knows it has to save £180m over the next four years, that’s about a quarter of the annual budget. If we don’t make these savings, our council tax element will have to go up by 10% every year until 2013. That would clearly be unacceptable.

"We have already identified more than £60m of savings for this financial year, but so many public services are interdependent that it is sensible that we work together. This will ensure we avoid duplicating work unnecessarily and make sure any changes have as little adverse impact on residents as possible."

David Clayton-Smith, Chair of NHS Surrey, added: "Surrey’s NHS already faces a deeply challenging financial position. Add to this the increasing demand for healthcare, the impact of an ageing population and the cost of new and expensive drugs and treatments, it’s clear the county’s NHS is unsustainable – and that radical change is needed.

"There will be some tough conversations to be had, but it’s important we have these together. We know public services in Surrey are all in the same boat and that the more we can do collectively, the better.

"‘Have Your Say’ is a real opportunity for the people of Surrey to get involved. We want to understand people’s priorities and how they want their money spent. We don’t have all the answers and also welcome their ideas on how we can do things differently and better."

Peter Williams, Chairman of Surrey Police Authority, said: "The huge amount of important work the police do in our communities has been rightly recognised in recent days. Surrey Police Authority and Surrey Police are committed to protecting our ability to do that work in Surrey and provide the comprehensive frontline service that people want and need.

"Doing so at a time of shrinking resources and increasing demands has meant we have had to think again about how we can put as much of our resources into front line policing as possible. We are now undertaking radical plans for change at the force, including reducing the number of senior officers, doing away with the old divisional structure and replacing expensive and little-used police stations with more accessible and cost-effective alternatives.

"Understanding what the public want is central to how we work and we go to great efforts to engage with residents. We are pleased therefore to be involved in the ‘Have Your Say’ campaign and look forward to being part of the discussion that it generates."

Residents are being invited through the campaign to have their say and help shape the delivery of different, but better, services that offer value for money. Views can be posted on a new website. Alternatively, residents can email enquiries@surreyhaveyoursay.info or phone 03456 009 009 to find out more. Residents can also talk to their local councillor or download an online toolkit to host their own discussion among their neighbours, friends or family.

A public debate will be held next month, featuring a panel of key public, voluntary and business sector representatives. The Have Your Say event will take place on 18 November at Salesian School, Chertsey, 7pm-9pm. To book a space at the event, email enquiries@surreyhaveyoursay.info.