Councils react furiously to cuts in their core funding

COUNCILS across the region were left furious with the Government after Yorkshire and Humber councils were hit by a further £127m of cuts in its spending power.

Their “spending power” – an umbrella measure used by the Department of Communities and Local Government  – has been reduced by up to 6.4% for 2015-16, with other funding reductions and unavoidable rising costs expected to make that figure significantly higher.

Sheffield City Council’s cabinet member for finance and resources, Cllr Ben Curran said: “The government have confirmed their continued attack on services provided by this council. At the same time as there are 47 Tory councils such as Wokingham and Surrey receiving increases in funding. The government is rewarding wealthier areas of the country where it suits them politically, and targeting deeper cuts at areas with greatest need.

“By next year the council will have lost 50% of our core government funding since this government came to power.

 “Sheffield has been completely let down by this Government who have forced cuts on Sheffield and cities in the north, which is having an impact on services across the board. Today we needed a new approach but all we have had is more of the same.”

Leeds City Council leader Cllr Keith Wakefield was also critical of the way Government has left “the north bearing the brunt” of the cuts.

He said: “Even using the government’s own measure of ‘spending power’, the cut for Leeds is yet again well above the national average and continues the sadly predictable trend of the north bearing the brunt compared to the south, with some councils there receiving increases which cannot be right.

“National bodies like the National Audit Office, Office for Budget Responsibility and Institute for Fiscal Studies have all warned that this continuing austerity is unsustainable and yet northern councils keep being asked to cut more when at the same time the Whitehall machine continues unchecked. That is simply not fair and serious questions need to be asked why that is.”

Hull City Council believes it will need to find savings of £24m to cover the reduced funding, which represents a 15% reduction in core funding.

Deputy Leader of Hull City Council Cllr Daren Hale said: “We have lost in the region of £228 per person since 2010 and although we haven’t received an indication as to what future years’ reductions will be, we expect continued cuts to follow, as outlined broadly in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.

“Whilst we have been planning for continued reductions in funding, the fact is it is becoming increasingly difficult to make the decisions needed to balance the budget.”