‘Can do’ councils

Councils use slightly different timetables to determine their budget, a point overlooked by yesterday’s critique. Some authorities also have access to cash reserves to offset cuts in government grant. Others do not.

And, while the decisions were relatively straightforward in some areas, some towns and cities are still trying to determine their priorities – and how major infrastructure projects can be progressed in these austere times.

Mr Pickles should not need reminding of this. Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday saw several backbenchers express dismay at the invaluable services that are now being compromised as a result of the coalition’s draconian approach, while City of York MP Hugh Bayley led a Parliamentary debate on the decision to postpone, because of the cost implications, the planned flood defences for York and Leeds.

If councils are to pick up the slack, and this certainly appears to the Government’s intention as Ministers continue to blame these issues on the excessive salaries of town hall bosses, then they will require time to achieve this.

They should also not be faulted if they are using every available day to determine how savings can be achieved in a manner that does not jeopardise essential jobs and services. This is not irresponsible, as implied by Mr Pickles. It is evidence of local councillors, and their officials, taking their responsibilities very seriously.

As the politician at the forefront of the Government’s localism agenda, isn’t this what Mr Pickles wants?