Lincolnshire County Councillor Report
February 14, 2016 8:17 AM
Originally published by South Lincolnshire Liberal Democrats
Originally published by South Lincolnshire Liberal Democrats
The four Lib Dem County Councillors continue to be part of the Administration Group, comprising also 36 Conservatives and 3 Independents that has been running the Lincolnshire County Council since 2013.
The new financial settlement has just been announced and is pretty bad news. The government intends to phase out the present support grants, which account for the largest amount of funds that the County needs to run its business over the next four years. Councils will be allowed to retain all monies from Business Rates. However, this could mean in Lincolnshire a shortfall of around £200 million. Even the announcement this week that Lincolnshire will receive an extra £5 million from the extra £300 million the government has miraculously found will do little to improve matters.
It looks as if the increase in the County Council's portion of the Council Tax will be just under 4%, which represents, I think, around 85p per week on a Band D property. Even with this, we still have to find another £30 million worth of cuts. It really is frightening. Unless there is a major rethink, Armageddon could await local government in the next few years!
The Libraries situation in the County is now settling down, despite dire warnings. 15 tier one and tier two libraries will continue to operate with professional staff whilst up to 30 libraries will be operated mainly by volunteers. Greenwich Leisure is due shortly to take over the running of the service.
The Serco fiasco continues and problems are still being ironed out. Serco took over many council services last year and has hardly covered itself in glory. Penalties have been incurred for unsatisfactory delivery of the many services that Serco has taken over from the previous provider, Mouchel. However, the contract is still delivering considerable savings.
The Greater Lincoln Local Enterprise Partnership, involving the County Council, seven District Councils and the two Unitaries South of the Humber has put in its bid to the Secretary of State for devolved status and we await a response. If we get the green light we may have to accept an elected mayor as part of the deal.
The elections for the new Police and Crime Commissioner take part in May. So far we have a Tory candidate, County Councillor, Marc Jones, UKIP County Councillor, Victoria Ayling and a female Labour candidate. The current PCC, Alan Hardwick, has decided not to stand again. I do hope that we do not put up a candidate. I personally will do what I did last time. I shall go to the Polling Station and spoil my ballot by voting for a return of the Police Authority!
The next Full County Council meeting takes place on Friday, 19 February when the budget is decided. Labour will be pressing on the proposed cuts in the subsidy LCC gives to maintain bus services. There are likely to be debates on the EU, with the Tories possibly rejecting Cameron's 'deal' to try to outflank UKIP. If this happens I have already told our Group Leader that I shall be voting against, even though I am not overjoyed with the EU and am hardly enthusiastic about our party's current campaign. With all its faults, in my opinion, the EU is still the only game in town. However, if we and other EU members don't get a handle on immigration the whole project could be undone.
Cllr John Marriott
8.2.2016