Annual Conference: Cllr Sue Anderson

Cllr Sue Anderson is Birmingham City Council's cabinet member for adults and communities. She was at the assembly to talk about the changes in the local political landscape that had come about as a result of the recent elections on May 6.

Cllr Anderson, who represents Shenley Ward, explained how with much tighter budgets the future will be tough for both local government and the third sector.

• She committed to protecting frontline services wherever possible
• Promised a more consistent approach to the third sector
• Said that this was a period of uncertainty but the council had planned.
• She said they were looking at how they could make much better use of the resources they had, by opening buildings more often.
• She said that there were buildings that were 'awful'. 'We need to make better use of our buildings and we are introducing new buildings'.
• They are looking at how many managers are really needed.
• She said that 'hopefully not, but maybe in the future' people will be made redundant.
• She said that council staff feel vulnerable - not just the third sector - as a result of the budget constraints.
• But she said there was an opportunity. Now the council would have to look at all providers, not just the city council.
• The budget tightening means there will be some decommissioning. It was essential that money was spent 'very carefully'.

She made a few important points about the immediate future.

• There will be an emergency budget on June 22
• She said she was looking at savings, not cuts.
• It's key not to fill new positions straight away because of the uncertainty
• She didn't yet know what would come out of the changes in the national government
• She said she wanted to fight for the third sector, but 'we're all in this together'.