Lib Dems give their reaction to County Council Leader’s Christmas message

Today, Tory Leader Nick Rushton sent out a Christmas message, wishing readers a Merry Christmas. Much of the focus was on some of the more positive things to happen in Leicestershire this year, such as the reinternment of Richard III, but the bit that most caught my eye were the warnings of what the year ahead would bring.

"...inevitably, continued austerity dominates. After years of efficiency savings, people are starting to see the impact on services. There will be no respite in 2016 but I'm determined to work with the Government and others to help Leicestershire make the best of a difficult situation..."

Whilst I too would like to wish readers a Happy Christmas, his comments underplay the increasingly serious financial situation facing the County Council. Yesterday in the Local Government Spending settlement, the Council saw its Revenue Support Grant cut by a further £20m next year. Finance officers had predicted it would reduce by around £15m but the loss is worse than expected and the actual reduction is £4.7m more than the MTFS plans for. This can only mean more cuts to frontline services and although the Government is saying Councils can raise an extra 2% on Council Tax to meet the pressures on social care, the additional £4.7 m grant cut means that 2% on council tax will simply replace the loss of government funding. This will reinforce the view that George Osborne is forcing council tax payers to pick up the cost of the Conservative Government's public spending cuts.

The Leader says he will work with the Government to make the best of a difficult situation. From what I saw watching the statement to the House of commons on TV yesterday only 1 Leicestershire MP was present for the announcement to question ministers on the implications of the settlement for Leicestershire County Council. I'm sure readers will draw their own conclusions from this.

Simon Galton

Leader of the Leicestershire Liberal Democrats