Senior MPs are backing local politicians’ bid for more funding to foot the bills of drainage board, it’s been claimed.
Former Prime Minister Liz Trust and Steve Barclay, the secretary of state for the environment, have joined Sir John Hayes in backing the lobbying group set up by South Holland District Council and other authorities.
The authority is looking to put its share of the council tax up by the maximum its allowed which equates to £6.03 for a Band D property, which would generate £268,000 in the next financial year.
But the district council has to give money the area’s drainage boards and due to rising utility costs they’ve asked for between eight and 25 per cent more at a cost to the budget of £297,000.
With local councils not receiving any extra funding from central government, it’s left the council facing its own cost pressures and trying to save £12m over four years.
The drainage board lobbying group says it’s getting MPs into a meeting in February in a bid to build on the ‘one-off’ payment the central government gave last year and to create a long term solution.
Coun Paul Redgate, the chair of the lobby group and SHDC’s portfolio holder for finance, said at a meeting of its cabinet last week: “I’m pressing the button hard.
“The government’s starting answer is that we gave you it last year and that’s it.
“At this moment in time we’re in the position we have to find the funds ourselves to do this, however we’re putting a huge amount of pressure on it.
“The original group affected by drainage was 15 councils and it’s now 28.
“We’re pushing hard and not just the current government but what could potentially be the change of government.
“We’re gathering MPs into a room in Feburary to, I won’t say read the riot act, but to outline the situation.
“We do have some very senior MPs backing us.
“This is not one small voice it’s a collective voice.
“I’d hate to see a situation that it’s a hard no as it would be harming the residents of every single one of the district.
“This is a cross-party piece of MPs fighting for a single cause.”
He continued: “This is not something that’s being taken lightly.
“We’re hoping we can get a resolution that benefits not just the residents of South Holland but those of all the councils affected.
“The recent floodings we’ve seen across the area show the work the drainage boards do in South Holland.
“They do a tireless job and without them, just imagine the devastation that would have happened.
“We can’t afford not to fund them.
“We need to find a sustainable resolution to the funding issue.
“I’m hoping we have something for this year but it’s not going to go away, so we’ll continue for an ultimate solution.
“It will not be finished with a short term settlement.”
Coun Redgate was responding to a question from the leader of South Holland Independents.
“It’s a shame we’re getting to the point where we might have a choice to provide our services for our residents or keep out feet dry,” Coun Rob Gibson said. “It should be down to central government to sort it out.”
The cabinet backed the budget which includes the council tax rise, as well as an inflation plus one per cent rise on the council house rent, taking the average weekly rent to £87, the meeting was told.
Leader of the council Nick Worth said: “The local government settlement has flatlined so we’re no better off.
“We were hoping for better after all the hype and talk of ministers.
“On drainage, it’s still in the balance if we’ll get something.
“There will be a lot of pressure on ministers to resolve this.
“Our council tax increase is effectively wiped out by the boards increases so it’s important we keep the pressure on.
“It’s not been an easy year for councils around the country. Many are struggling to meet large funding gaps.
“We have risen to the challenge and we are in a healthy position going forwards.”
