Call for MPs to rebel over budget cuts
Devon county councillors are calling on the region’s MPs to rebel against the Government if the local government settlement is again inadequate to provide front line services and support for vulnerable people.
County Labour Leader Cllr Richard Westlake said: “The County Council is facing the stark reality of further overall budget cuts totaling £34 million, a devastating amount for any local authority to bear. The final decision on the county council’s budget, along with the level of council tax, is likely to be made on February 18.
“We still have not had all the final budget figures, such as the public health grant , so we are still guessing and estimating , even at this late stage.
“However we face these attacks on front line services in an apparent political fantasy world , where we have a county council and a region currently dominated by Tories , who all stood on an economic platform of austerity , cutbacks , and service reductions, and who are now at odds over their own failed policies
“David Cameron has become embroiled in a bizarre row with his local council after he complained about cuts to frontline services. These cuts are as a result of the government slashing its budget.
“The Government’s overall majority is 12 , so if the region’s MPs stand up for our local communities against these cuts , we can do our job properly to protect valuable and essential services .
“Such is the extent of the spending cuts in local government , many services are close to disappearing. And many local authorities, such as Devon, will continue to struggle running statutory services like social care and child protection.”
“Local communities will be unrecognisable by 2020 if the Conservatives keep the keys to Downing Street. It’s time to give local government some respite from the austerity axe.”
Deputy Labour Leader Cllr Jill Owen added: “These huge cuts are ideologically driven, they are about shrinking local services, and they undermine and diminish the positive and protecting role that local councils represent. Furthermore the government has essentially shifted the costs for the new minimum wage for home care staff and others to the county council in a budgetary slight of hand.
"The Labour group fully supports a real living wage but not at the expense of the most vulnerable in our communities.
"Overall we would welcome any additional investment in flood protection for the county as there are so many homes and businesses potentially at risk. We are also concerned about the proposed cuts to School Crossing Patrols. Furthermore the £40,000 cut to our much needed Citizens Advice Bureau service is unacceptable at a time when its services are in greater need.
"This budget will mean local people having to pay more money for reduced services.”
