As central government are steering local councils to either charge more for local services or drastically cut them, I note most money comes from the Treasury, some 60 per cent of the total, amounting to around £90billion across England.
But due to the cuts, the Tory-led Local Government Association (LGA) estimates that by 2020 a staggering £20billion will have been axed from council budgets since 2010.
Here is a quote from Lord Gary Porter, LGA chairman and Conservative Peer: “Even if councils stop filling in potholes, maintaining parks, closed all the children’s centres, libraries, museums, leisure centres and turned off every street light, they will not have saved enough money to plug the financial black hole they face by 2020” – Local Authority briefing.
I know our leader of the SHDC is a big believer in the Tory government pushed programme of devolution and localism. But even with councils getting a greater say in fundraising from the business rate how will it affect areas already hit by declining industry, or simply the lack of it?
But without a significant boost to funds, devolution becomes a cynical ploy to devolve blame for slashing local services.
Such as:
services such as road maintenance and street lighting, that keep our towns moving and safe.
services for our children and young people including schools, children’s services and nurseries.
services such as social care and mental health provision for the elderly and disabled.
services that deliver vital public safety – fire and rescue, court services and licensing.
and services that enrich our lives such as public spaces, museums and good quality sports for all services in local communities.
Of course, it doesn’t have to be this way – all local councils should be given sufficient funds by central government to provide the local services we need. If they did, this would create good jobs, good local services and grow the economy locally and nationally.
The UK government spends £200billion a year on contracting services and buying goods – this procurement power should be embraced to support local jobs and wages.
It is not only the right thing to do, but it would also be good for the wider economy.
It’s all very well some councils hanging on to large reserves for a rainy day, well guess what? It happens to be chucking it down out there.
Rodney Sadd
Carrington Road
Spalding
