Ealing Council is changing. It is working to make the borough better – but at a time of significantly reduced funding. It is calling its answer to this challenge Future Ealing. A roadshow this summer, and an online ‘room’, will give you the chance to have your say and get involved.

The council has set three priorities for the next four years: Building more good, genuinely affordable homes, delivering more opportunities and a living income for local people and helping people to be healthier and neighbourhoods to thrive.

Councillors and council officers will be travelling around the borough this summer to talk to local people about them and how everyone can all work together to make the borough better.

Look out for the Talk Future Ealing roadshow at upcoming events this summer:

• Hanwell Carnival 16 June, Elthorne Park
• Greenford Carnival 30 June, Ravenor Park
• Acton Carnival 14 July, Acton Park
• Ealing Jazz Festival 28 and 29 July, Walpole Park
• London Mela 19 August, Southall Park

Talk Future Ealing will also be visiting ward forums across the borough over the next year.

OTHER WAYS TO TALK

If you cannot make it to an event over the summer, you can still talk to the council about its plans and find out more online:

• Visit the Talk Future Ealing room – take a look at the council’s plans in this interactive presentation and leave comments
• Go to www.ealing.gov.uk/futureealing

Future Ealing: The background

THE CHALLENGE

Government cuts mean that the council will have £143million less government funding by 2021 than in 2010 – a 64% reduction and deeper than the London or UK average. At the same time, the borough’s population is aging and costs are increasing.

Local adult social care and children’s services are under more pressure than ever before but, at the same time, the council wants to carry on improving the way it provides services.

With £57million in savings still to find over the next three years, there will be some tough decisions ahead.

MEETING THE CHALLENGE

Council leader Julian Bell, said: “We want to transform the way that we work and be as efficient as possible. This means working in a smarter, more digital way, with a focus on preventing problems.

“It also means keeping a tight control on our spending. With a reduced workforce we can build a smaller, cheaper to run headquarters at no cost to council tax payers. And, on the same site we want to build some genuinely affordable homes.

“By being creative we can look to reduce spending. For instance, providing support to help keep families together is incredibly positive for the family itself but also avoids the council having to pay for expensive long-term care and other related costs.

“We will also grow our income where we can, including reviewing our fees and charges. However, government cuts will inevitably mean making some tough decisions that will impact on public services, but if we don’t take these now, we will be forced to make even harder decisions later.”

HELPING TO BUILD A BETTER BOROUGH

By focusing on key aims, the council intends for Future Ealing to help make the borough a better place to live and work. It is about finding a way to achieve the best results at a time of smaller budgets. But what can you do to help?

Ealing Council is asking you to do your bit too by getting involved in your local community. It is asking everyone to #DoSomethingGood.

This could be through volunteering at your local library – or volunteering at a local parkrun; taking part in a community litter clear-up – or taking part in a project to reinvent a neglected corner of your neighbourhood; becoming a school governor – or becoming a part-time respite carer for Ealing Shared Lives; visiting someone who is elderly or housebound – or simply just recycling more at home. You can see a few ideas on our Love Your Place page.

There are so many ways to do something good. By doing so, you will be helping others – and yourself.

Volunteering has been recognised as having many positive benefits for mental health and is also a handy way to build your CV and social circle. It will also make the place we all live or work a better place to be.

Take a look at www.dosomethinggood.org.uk to see what you can do in your area.