CLLR Hans Mundry is the leader of Warrington Borough Council and writes a regular column for the Guardian.
IN this month’s column, I’d like to take the opportunity to say thank you to the people of Warrington during these difficult times of change.
I know that many residents are concerned about the changes taking place across the council, and your patience, understanding, and support are appreciated.
We are entering a new phase for the council.
It will mean doing things differently and, in many areas, working as a smaller organisation.
But our focus remains the same: working hard for local people and providing the best services we can with the public money available to us.
A major part of this work is continuing to reduce the council’s debt and putting our finances on a more sustainable footing.
We have a responsibility to make sure every pound is spent wisely while protecting the services people rely on whenever possible.
Everything we are doing is about building a better future for Warrington.
Over the past two years, since I became leader, we have begun to change the direction of the council.
I’m more determined than ever that we see these changes through.
While the challenges are significant, this is also a chance to reset, learn from the past, and create new ways of working that are right for the future.
Our transformation programme is moving forward at pace.
All eight workstreams are now up and running, with members of the ministerial envoy team involved throughout the process.
Working closely with our improvement and transformation board, they are helping us identify the changes and savings needed as we work towards balancing the council’s budget.
The council of the future will look different.
However, our aim is to protect essential day-to-day services as much as possible.
That’s why many of the proposals focus on redesigning services, improving efficiency, and working in smarter ways, rather than simply reducing what we do.
Digital transformation will be central to this approach, helping residents access services more quickly and easily.
We are also learning from other councils and organisations to make sure we deliver the best possible outcomes for Warrington.
Most importantly, local people will be part of this journey.
Consultation and engagement will be at the heart of our plans, and we will make sure residents are informed, listened to, and given every opportunity to have their say.
There is still much more work to do, but I’m encouraged by the progress being made.
Together, we can shape a new vision for Warrington, supported by a new way of working.
Our September budget will mark the start of the next phase of that journey towards a council that is sustainable, resilient, and one that Warrington can be proud of.
Cllr Hans Mundry
Leader, Warrington Borough Council
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