STRATFORD residents will be getting better value for money after a top department at the district council managed to shave £60,000 off this year's spending without affecting its service.

The planning department looked at ways to save the cash after the chairman of the planning and regulation committee, Councillor Chris Williams, asked for running costs to be examined in a bid to achieve better value.

He said a major saving was made by identifying a part-time position in developmental control that was no longer required.

The worker was on a temporary contract which was not renewed and no redundancies have been required.

"These savings will be achieved without any appreciable reduction in the level and quality of the planning service as well as meeting the requirements of the Government's Best Value programme of maintaining efficiency at a lower cost," said coun Williams.

"I stress that there will be no drop in enforcement activity and any enforcement requiring essential support from building control will continue."

Coun Williams said although the cash allocated for the urban capacity study had been sliced from the budget it would not mean the study would not take place, just that experts from outside the council would not be paid to help.

"The department recognises it has the skills and resources to undertake this essential planning function without the need to use outside consultants," he said.