Leader ‘can only see finances improving’

You are viewing content from Sunshine Radio Ludlow. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

Tuesday, 17 December 2019 19:53

By Andrew Morris - Local Democracy Reporter

The leader of Shropshire Council says he can “only see things improving” financially for the authority.

Councillor Peter Nutting told cabinet that he will be holding talks with the county’s MPs in a bid to secure better government funding.

It was revealed last week that the council is facing a new £14 million hole in the budget.

A spending freeze is already in place until the end of the year, while recruitment is being watched closely.

But Councillor Nutting said the figures are a “worst case scenario” and backed the council to balance the books.

He said: “James Walton our finance director wrote the paper as a worst case scenario.

“I can only see things improving. I will be asking out MPs to speak to ministers to put our case forward and that is a process I have started.

“In adult social care hopefully there will be some work done with that and I think the government will recognise that.

“My only worry is how much money will go to council’s and how much will go to health people.

“I will be pushing our case and I know they will push their case but I am hopeful we will hear something sooner than later.”

He added: “My worry is that we are a big council but we receive less funding. Shropshire can seem like a distant place from the Metropolitan boroughs.

“I am hopeful we will receive something more. I imagine it won’t be as much as we would like but I hope there will be a compromise.

“We are trying to pay our way every day. Spend what comes in and not dip into savings.

“We are not a penniless council but we must make our budget work on a day-to-day basis.”

Councillor Roger Evans, Lib Dem group leader, said “nothing has been achieved” by the ruling Conservative group and said the council “is in a mess”.

He added: “There has been spending freezes put in place for four or five years and last time the books were balanced by dipping into reserves.
“You have raided the reserves to prop up the budget year on year and now it is starting to come home to roost.”

He added: “You went on for years about not rising council tax, well this is now the mess you have got yourself in.”

Councillor Dean Carroll called on Councillor Evans to “put his money where his mouth is” and come up with a fully costed alternative budget.
“As the leader of the main opposition group you have failed to do this for nine years,” he said.

Councillor Nutting added: “We are under pressure, all councils are, but the services we provide are really, really good.

“The only criticism where I agree there is room for improvement is in highways, but in terms of the general budget our service is excellent. We always come out extremely well.

“We got squeezed again this year, this is part of normal process.”

More from Local News

Today's Weather

  • Ludlow

    Light rain shower

    High: 12°C | Low: 3°C

Like Us On Facebook