Government cuts affect vital council services

THE story entitled "£8 billion funding black hole by 2025 will swallow up popular council services - LGA says" appeared in the Courier on Friday, February 1, issue 1227.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has launched a campaign to influence the forthcoming Spending Review by warning about the growing risk to vital local services if the Government does not take action to secure the financial sustainability of councils.

Councils in England are facing an overall funding gap of £8 billion by 2025.

This could mean that many cherished local services such as the maintenance of parks, improving food hygiene and safety, certain bus services, cultural activities and council tax support for those in financial difficulty face being drastically cut by local councils.

The scale of the funding gaps and the demand facing children’s services, adult social care and homelessness means scaling back discretionary services will not be enough to protect the ability of councils to provide dignified care for older and disabled people, to protect children and to support those experiencing or facing homelessness.

The LGA says that cutting these discretionary, often preventative services is also a false economy as they can help alleviate pressure on statutory services.

Other parts of the private sector such as the NHS are then forced to pick up the pieces.

Do you think the Government should take action to secure vital local services?

What you told us ...

I think we need to protect our vital services at all times. Funding is the vital issue and the lead must come from the government of the day. To allow local government in all areas to be able to protect the services that are needed - not just for now but in the future. Not an easy task by any means, but you can’t keep taking it from council tax payers.

Local Resident

They’re trying to turn us into a "third world country". All they talk about is Brexit and they don’t deal with anything else.

Crediton Resident

I object to paying more for the police force, they should get rid of the crime commissioner and all of her team to save some money. I also object to paying any extra to Mid Devon District Council.

Crediton Resident

I’m appalled at the pressure government puts on front line services. The poor have suffered and now we are all suffering as more public services are cut. Taxes should go up for the rich to help pay for public services. Yet Mid Devon District Council can still afford to give half a building away to Tiverton Town Council!

David Nation, Crediton