North West Leicestershire District Council has put forward a five year 'transformation' delivery plan designed to address financial sustainability.

A report was presented to last week's council Cabinet meeting in Coalville which said: "The transformation of the Council is a strategic imperative that requires a concerted effort across all levels of the organisation. 

"By embracing the principles outlined above and committing to a path of continuous improvement, the Council can secure its financial position, deliver excellent services, and build a skilled workforce to support a thriving district."

Committee members were told there would be a comprehensive financial of the Council's financial operations to identify areas for cost optimisation and revenue enhancement.

The report says the council was at 'a pivotal juncture where transformation is not merely an option but a necessity.'

It added that the Delivery Plan outlined the imperative for change and sets the stage for a comprehensive transformation strategy. 

Councillors said that the overall approach to transformation over the medium term to ensure the Council is financially sustainable was noted.

The plan is divided into three: The short-term (1-2 years): with a focus on quick wins through process improvements and cost-saving measures; the medium-term (3-5 years), to implement digital transformation initiatives and develop new service delivery models; the long-term (5+ years): embedding a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the Council.

The report says the Delivery Plan is designed to address the financial sustainability challenges identified by the Council, enhance service delivery, and ensure the Council's operations align with the evolving needs of the community. 

It adds: "The need for transformation within the Council is underscored by a combination of financial, operational, and strategic factors. 

"The Council faces a projected funding gap, alongside the pressures of delivering high-quality services to the community. 

"Transformation is not solely a financial imperative but is also about enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and overall performance of the Council to ensure better outcomes for citizens, customers, and stakeholders."

It adds that the Council's Delivery Plan sets out the priorities over a five-year period, emphasising financial sustainability, regeneration, housing improvements, and environmental commitments. 

The report says: "The primary reason for the Council's transformation is to ensure financial sustainability over the medium term. 

"With a significant funding gap looming and the uncertainty of the impact of a proposed business rates reset in 2026/27, the Council must act swiftly to secure its financial future.

"In setting the budget for 2024/25, the Council took several measures to address the funding gap, identifying a range of budget options which included general budget housekeeping, a Council-wide challenge to find additional savings, maximising income where it was appropriate to do so and increasing Council Tax. 

"This helped to halve the funding gap previously identified over the medium term. 

"Moreover, transformation transcends fiscal consolidation; it is about reimagining how the Council operates to improve performance, efficiency, and effectiveness, ultimately delivering better outcomes for citizens, customers, and stakeholders."