Coun Glen Sanderson expresses frustration over funding cuts impacting local services
Northumberland: The leader of the county council is not happy. Coun Glen Sanderson says the recent funding deal from the Government is disappointing. He feels it will lead to cuts in services.
He’s especially upset about losing the rural services delivery grant, which was worth £3.2 million. Plus, the council won’t see any money from the new Recovery Grant either. That’s a big hit.
With rising national insurance costs, the council is looking at a £2.6 million shortfall. They need to finalize the budget soon, and it’s not looking good.
At a recent meeting, Coun Sanderson said, “This is a very disappointing settlement.” He emphasized that they’re losing vital funding and need more support.
He mentioned that they expected a better deal based on previous years. Instead, they’re facing a significant gap in their budget.
Despite the challenges, he reassured everyone that essential services would still be provided. They plan to keep leisure facilities and free parking intact.
He’s hopeful the Government will reconsider and provide the necessary funding. The council wants to ensure they can serve the community well.
On the other hand, the Labour opposition leader criticized the Conservatives for not addressing past funding cuts. The Government claims they’ve increased funding, but the council disagrees with those numbers.
In the end, it’s a tough situation for Northumberland. The council is trying to navigate these financial challenges while keeping services running smoothly.
