The politics of austerity

After more than a decade of sustained growth in public expenditure local government is going to endure its period of famine. In tighter times decisions are inherently political: core to the political task is the reconciliation of different interests and beliefs. In making tough calls politicians cannot find solutions for a blue-sky world, but have to make judgements about what is achievable in the here and now. The tougher the financial environment, the more acute these dilemmas become.

We believe we have to move beyond the efficiency agenda of cuts and salami-slicing into one requiring more astute political decisions.

This means considering the political implications for your area of reducing the total provision of services, passing provision into some voluntary sector management or perhaps into some partnership with the private sector.