Bradford Council has identified the potential to save up to £1.6 million through increasing its use of automation and digital technology.
This is one of a set of proposals for the 2025-26 financial year, aimed at saving over £33 million in total, to go before the council’s executive committee next week.
It is part of a continuous rolling programme of identifying efficiencies and savings and a five-year plan to become financially sustainable through £40 million of savings and increased income each year.
The council’s announcement on the plan highlighted the ambition to save 31.6 million by transforming customer services and contract management using voice automation, robotic automation and other digital technology.
The proposal document states: “It aims to improve the experience for the residents of Bradford District by reducing avoidable contact, removing fragmented and inconsistent processes and using our resources more effectively.”
Better ways of working
Leader of the council Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe said: “We have to make significant savings and are doing all we can to achieve them through efficiencies, innovation, finding better ways of working and maximising our income rather than service reductions. However, we will inevitably still have some very tough decisions to make.
“We’re working hard to ensure a stable financial future for Bradford Council and we are being clear with residents about what we will have to do to achieve this.
“Bringing these savings proposals forward now means we have time to have meaningful consultation with residents ahead of the overall budget setting in February next year.”
Public engagement on the proposals will take place after the meeting.
