IT’s budget time at the county council. It’s all very well saying austerity is over, but for rural councils in particular, it doesn’t feel like it.

We’ve been given a three-year settlement which helps with financial planning but that’s where the good news ends.

Over the period we will see a decrease in government grant of £10 million.

Any increase in spending power will be due to council tax hikes.

English councils across the political spectrum are being forced to raise council tax. None of us want to do it, including Reform run councils, but we don’t have any choice.

It represents a shift of funding responsibility from national government to local taxpayers.

Working within these restrictions it is our job to set a balanced budget. At the same time decisions must be aligned to our strategic plan. That is why we have found extra funding for both children’s services and road maintenance. These are political decisions and it is our job, as a minority administration, to persuade councillors across the council to give us their support.

The draft budget has already gone through the scrutiny process which will strengthen the final proposals. Due to the delayed final settlement from government, and the potential for late changes, our budget meeting will now be on February 24.

POTHOLES

It’s the season for potholes. I’m sure we all have our own nightmare examples. I’m sorry.

With 8,000 miles of roads, we have the biggest network of any authority in the country. I’m delighted we have found extra money, but I also know we need to be smarter.

Following your frustrations (and ours) two pilot schemes were instigated.

These involved filling not just the designated safety defect potholes, but all potholes in the locality. It looks like common sense to us and an item will be coming to cabinet in the spring.

At the same time, we need to work better with our local communities. Harnessing the local knowledge and experience so proactive works can be done in the right places and at the right time.

A new protocol has been drawn up to formalise the relationship between parishes, towns and highways. It’s a dynamic document and will evolve as see what works.

We also need to find ways to devolve decision making and resources down to the local communities, so you can decide on the priorities.

LIBRARIES

Continual cost increases means our library service is unsustainable.

It’s run by Libraries Unlimited and due to some rather archaic laws around statutory opening hours, they did not have the flexibility to create a more resilient service.

We totally get the idea of libraries as community hubs. My own Kingsbridge branch is a fantastic example.

By changing statutory hours there can be more innovation. Yes, it may be that volunteers will pick up some of the slack, but it also allows community groups, like pre-natal classes, to open the library.

We can also develop new technology that allows access outside of opening hours. Rather than just let it wither on the vine we are determined, with Libraries Unlimited, to transform the service into a sustainable and resilient service for the long-term.

Councillor Julian Brazil

Leader of Devon County Council