Ruth Cadbury MP and Leader of Council Slam Budget
Conservative Councillor says they are blaming Government for their own shortcomings
Ruth Cadbury MP slammed last week’s Budget for 'doing nothing for the many, and taking nothing away from the few'.
Speaking in Parliament in the Budget Debate, the Brentford & Isleworth MP criticised the Government saying that they were continuing to cut funding for local services, doing nothing to address the housing crisis, and doing far too little to help those struggling to make ends meet, particularly women on whom the brunt of cuts fall.
The representative for Brentford and Isleworth said “There is nothing in the Budget for local councils. They are the backbone of local public services, yet are dependent on Government grants for around half their funding. Children’s and adult social care take up the largest part of their budgets, but rubbish, roads, parks, libraries and supporting a host of local organisations that provide their communities with services that are all essential Council spend”.
“Hounslow Council will have to make £45m cuts to these vital services in the next two years, after already making £20m cuts over the last two.”
Ruth went on to criticise the Conservative’s spending policies. “The Government has blown the post-crash opportunities by an approach that has hampered the country’s growth and damaged our public services. Seven years later wages are down, growth and productivity are both down compared with our competitor countries. At same time government debt is double that of 2010 and thanks to Brexit, future growth and productivity projections have been further downgraded.”
Cllr John Todd who represents Chiswick Homefields ward for the Conservatives countered, “Ruth is regrettably not known for her financial acumen whilst a Labour Hounslow councillor for about 25 years. A regime known for extortionate council tax increases inept and failing services and general fumbling. I recall in particular her arguing forcibly that the Chair of licensing to have his allowance increased from £500 to £6000 because of the huge responsibilities. Absolute nonsense of course but she got her way.”
Hounslow Council Leader, Steve Curran, said that he believed the Budget announcement by the Government will not help the council to address the challenges that the Borough faces.
Cllr Curran said,“There was no backing for the Metropolitan Police in the budget so it seems inevitable that police officer numbers across London will continue to fall.
“Nor did the Chancellor announce any extra grant for affordable housing in London. And even though councils need to be able to build more, there was no commitment that they will be given the powers to do so.
“The measures announced to improve air quality are also limited, and no action was announced to introduce a diesel car scrappage fund.
“Hounslow Council will continue to do all that it can to build high quality new council and affordable housing, to make the borough safe, cleaner and greener.”
Cllr Todd disputes that there has not been extra funding for affordable housing in London saying that the Government’s programme includes £15.3bn of new investment and support.
He adds, “In addition to extra investment and support, the Chancellor indicated a renewed focus on ensuring the planning system is supporting the delivery of the new homes we need. Planning reform is crucial to delivering the necessary step change in supply and we will be analysing the proposals in detail as well as engaging proactively with the consultations and reviews announced.”
On the subject of the Council’s finances Cllr Todd says that there is an unused HRA borrowing capacity of £28.4m with a possible increase post budget changes of a further £10m plus right to buy receipts of £30.5m laying dormant and the property development arm of Lampton has an unused loan agreement of circa £54m.
Cllr Todd says, “It's yet to build any houses, the leader conceded in council rather sheepishly. We offered to provide some bricks. It's bidding to buy some flats in Uxbridge but that's stalled. It owes the council tax payers £1.25m set up costs which remain outstanding. We believe there is a potential £100m plus which could be used by this labour administration to provide housing. There is no excuse only embarrassing mitigation. Cllr Curran's masterful budget commentary is proved to be flawed. Both Ruth and Steve highlight the government cuts whenever the council’s performance is mentioned.”
December 2, 2017
