SOCIAL Services in Bury are failing the people, a damning report says.

The report by independent investigators raises concerns about the council's "ability to continue to safeguard the well being of some children, adults and older people in greatest need in Bury."

The joint report by the Audit Commission and the Social Services Inspectorate examined the department's budget control and management systems and highlighted a range of issues which need to be tackled.

The findings were announced at a special meeting at Bury Town Hall last night.

Bury Social Services have clocked up a £3m overspend in the past three years, although they say the books will balance this year. But to bring the budget out of the red, a series of harsh cost-cutting measures were introduced, which meant reductions in some services.

The financial crisis has been referred to the District Auditor and will be monitored by the Department of Health.

Recommendations of the report include:

To develop a balanced mix of services for older people.

Form constructive partnerships with key stakeholders, ie housing departments, probation and police services, hospitals and health service.

Provide effective leadership management - be more business-like in managing services and costs.

Control overall expenditure - to develop a long-term financial strategy.

Reduce the high cost of some of its services. Bury Council leader, Cllr Derek Boden, said the focus on the department's overspend difficulties came as no surprise.

He said: "We can not and will not make excuses and it would be fair to say that in the drive to provide the best possible services, despite staffing difficulties as a result of cuts, some procedures were not controlled as tightly as they should have been."

But he added that the council now had a firm grip on the situation, adding: "Currently we are on target to balance the budget this year and the initiation of new financial and management systems will ensure that continues to be the position in future years."

Andrew Webster, director of Joint Reviews said: "Bury faces some very real challenges. The authority must take major and decisive action to remedy the shortcomings identified in the review.

"Issues of bad management should not undermine recent achievements.

"Good work has been done in developing new services alongside housing services and staff are

capable and well trained."

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