A pressure group set up to gain more funding for councils like South Holland that have to give part of its council tax to drainage boards has held an event in Westminster.
Members of the Local Government Association Special Interest Group for Internal Drainage Board Levies stressed the urgent need for funding reform to government ministers and MPs at a Parliamentary event hosted by South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes and former Prime Minister Liz Truss.
Coun Paul Redgate, portfolio holder for finance at South Holland District Council and chairman of the SIG, praised the work of IDBs, presented the huge impact the levy increases are having and how this is leaving several small councils in a financially precarious position.
He warned if no long-term solution is secured, councils will have no choice but to cut services residents rely on.
“The issue of Internal Drainage Board levies is hugely significant to the budgets of the Special Interest Group Councils and the reception was an important part of our raising the matter with government and MPs,” he said. “Everyone in the room was united with one voice – we need government to implement a solution with pace.
“The urgency for this to be resolved cannot be stressed enough.
“The levy will keep consuming the money councils have available for services it raises by council tax every year until a fair deal is secured.
“We need to continue to support the critical work of the IDBs, managing water and reducing flood risk. Their operations are vital for the communities the SIG councils represent. The demand on pumping stations is not going away and will become even greater in time.
“We need government to review policy and we need this to progress at the pace the government has set out – in advance of the 25/26 financial settlement.
“The SIG will not stop until a long-term approach is secured. We now look forward to progressing conversations with DEFRA and DLUCH even further following the Parliamentary reception.”
Sir John said: “I know that central government takes this seriously, and accordingly they need to see that the present arrangements are just not fair for my constituents or SHDC. Instead, what’s needed is the renewed approach being backed by more than 20 local authorities affected by IDB levies.”
