Labour councillors have called for a “new approach” when Lichfield District Council sets its new budget next month.
The local authority will discuss the financial plan for the year ahead when they meet on 27th February.
But talks have been taking place between the Conservative and Labour leaderships for a number of months in a bid to navigate the budget against a backdrop of the council being in no overall control.
Cllr Dave Robertson, finance shadow cabinet member and deputy leader of the Labour opposition group, said:
“Lichfield District Council isn’t yet seeing the same problems facing many other councils, but has seen a 73% real terms cut in government funding since 2010 and is currently expecting to run out of money sometime in 2027.
“For years the council has tried to cut its way out of this problem, but this has only delayed the date on which it expects to run out of money.
“The budget for 2024/25 needs to take a new approach to help grow our economy and build resilience in the council’s finances.
“To support this, the Labour party is proposing new projects which should not only help support local people and businesses but will also help fix the financial outlook for the long term.”
Cllr Dave Robertson, Lichfield District Council
Among the measures Labour are proposing are creating a reserve to “create a blueprint for Burntwood to unlock the economic potential of the town”.
The opposition group also want to see a fund set aside to build a heritage plan for the district to harness the history of the area, as well as reversing real terms cuts in funding for voluntary and charitable groups.
Cllr Sue Woodward, leader of the Labour group, said:
“In the past, requests for funding for our Labour priorities have fallen on deaf ears.
“Now that the council is no longer dominated by one party, we have a real opportunity to make a difference and we are grasping it with both hands.
“In May, thousands of people voted to see a fairer, greener district and these proposals are a good first step on delivering that promise.”
Cllr Sue Woodward, Lichfield District Council
If the real terms decrease from government grants is 73% it goes some way to explaining why so much building has been allowed. The extra rates might be bridging the shortfall but the growth in population is creating greater demands which cannot be met. The so called bitter circle.
It also begs the question as to why, with taxes at an all time high, the government distribution to councils has been reduced so radically. In affect we are paying higher tax to both.
Rather than trying to get blood out of local populations shouldn’t all the councils be lobbying the goverment to reinstate local funding. After all it is local issues that determine how satisfied people are. I hope you (and the council) remember this when the electorate have the chance to vote.
If you don’t like the budget vote it down in conjunction with the LDs and table an alternative. The Crosses might even support or abstain. You have the votes to do that if you choose. How are all these
risky projects (cinema, leisure centre) going to be paid for? Northamptonshire, Croydon, Slough, Nottingham, Northumberland, Croydon (again), Thurrock, Woking, Nottingham, Birmingham have all issued S114 notices. 1 in 5 councils fear issuing a notice. Unitarisation is coming down the tracks. Heseltine regretted not doing it in the 1974 local government reorganisation. To much blue blow back from the Shires then. Starving Shire DC councils of cash is the way to force it through now.
Might we see some development in Burntwood please