Get real, party politics not to blame for council cash crisis – The Yorkshire Post says

THE Government’s default response to additional requests for funding from cash-strapped town halls has, in the past, been to blame the profligacy of Labour-run councils.
Social care costs have exacerbated the financial emergency facing many councils.Social care costs have exacerbated the financial emergency facing many councils.
Social care costs have exacerbated the financial emergency facing many councils.

It is a complacent view that masks the fact that most councils are well-run; they’ve already used cash “reserves” to prop up social care and that Covid-19 is putting key services under such strain.

And it’s not about party politics. Even Tory-controlled councils and councillors now say that enough is enough after a combination of Covid costs, loss of revenue and inadequate Government recognition combined to leave some Yorkshire town halls fearing bankruptcy if the situation continues.

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This is set out by Tory-run Hambleton District Council. A rural authority, its future investment plans, it warns, will be curtailed if its “reserves” have to be used to subsidise the services being provided to its most vulnerable residents.

Some Yorkshire councils fear bankruptcy unless the Government intervenes.Some Yorkshire councils fear bankruptcy unless the Government intervenes.
Some Yorkshire councils fear bankruptcy unless the Government intervenes.

Meanwhile the letter sent by Labour-controlled Hull Council to the Prime Minister has been signed by the Tories and Lib Dems in a rare show of cross-party unity.

“This is not an issue of cash-flow, it is an issue of longer-term financial sustainability,” it warns. “As you know, local authorities must balance our books each year, we cannot roll over a deficit and we cannot simply hope to rely on a last minute cash handout, unless you intend to legislate to change that.”

Like us, they await Boris Johnson’s reply. But the PM must be left in no doubt that town halls remain integral to the Covid-19 response. For, without them, the Government will be facing even greater difficulties fighting the pandemic.

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Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson, Editor

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