We have reviewed and revised some of the cost-cutting measures agreed to by Elected Members in March and decided to wind some back.
Areas of our operations have been under the microscope as we look at ways of reducing expenditure, and at the March meeting, Councillors voted eight to six in favour of recommendations to make changes in some service areas.
Following feedback from many sectors of our community, it’s been decided that some suggested savings now won’t be included in the operational cost-saving programme.
This means rubbish bins will remain in reserves in the meantime, but we will be rationalising their placement over the next year or two. Doggy doo bag dispensers will also remain as they are at this time.
The frequency of public toilet cleaning will remain unchanged but will be adjusted based on seasonal demand. Public toilets will remain open, with local sports clubs taking over responsibility for them at Wakefield Domain and for one in Jubilee Park.
Our Facilities and Reserves team will continue to evaluate potential cost savings across their activities as part of standard operational management.
Some areas that will change include the frequency of street sweeping to be reduced; for example, fortnightly town centre sweeping will become monthly, and sweeping of other urban areas will generally be twice per year rather than three times.
Rural roadside mowing will be paused except for safety/critical sightlines, and urban landscape mowing will be reduced.
Longer-term changes in levels of service where potential savings can be made are being considered as part of the Annual Plan 2025/26 deliberations.