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| Tories face revolt in the heartlands over council budget axe | Tories face revolt in the heartlands over council budget axe |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Senior Tories in the shires are in open revolt ahead of the May council elections after George Osborne paved the way for further punishing cuts that are likely to lead to the closure of more local libraries, parks and leisure centres. | Senior Tories in the shires are in open revolt ahead of the May council elections after George Osborne paved the way for further punishing cuts that are likely to lead to the closure of more local libraries, parks and leisure centres. |
| A widening rift between Conservative-run local authorities and ministers in central government, who are seen by many shire Tories as part of a remote metropolitan elite, now threatens to sour the Conservatives' local election effort as council leaders lay plans to blame central government for what many expect to be heavy losses on 2 May. | A widening rift between Conservative-run local authorities and ministers in central government, who are seen by many shire Tories as part of a remote metropolitan elite, now threatens to sour the Conservatives' local election effort as council leaders lay plans to blame central government for what many expect to be heavy losses on 2 May. |
| The Conservative chair of the Local Government Association, Sir Merrick Cockell, told the Observer that a lack of clarity about when and how the unwelcome future budget reductions would fall was leaving local authorities – already hit by cuts of more than 30% since 2010 – with insufficient time to plan for yet another round of austerity. | The Conservative chair of the Local Government Association, Sir Merrick Cockell, told the Observer that a lack of clarity about when and how the unwelcome future budget reductions would fall was leaving local authorities – already hit by cuts of more than 30% since 2010 – with insufficient time to plan for yet another round of austerity. |
| As a result they faced the prospect of having to make hurried, ill-thought-out decisions at the last minute, meaning sudden cuts to services on the ground. "Firesale decisions are bad decisions but if you do not have the ability to plan you simply take the big items you can cut from. None of us in local government have any confidence about what our financial settlement is going to be for the year that starts next year. We are major employers and engines of economic growth and any organisation has to plan its forward budget." | As a result they faced the prospect of having to make hurried, ill-thought-out decisions at the last minute, meaning sudden cuts to services on the ground. "Firesale decisions are bad decisions but if you do not have the ability to plan you simply take the big items you can cut from. None of us in local government have any confidence about what our financial settlement is going to be for the year that starts next year. We are major employers and engines of economic growth and any organisation has to plan its forward budget." |
| Cockell also condemned ministers for adopting an "illogical" and contradictory approach, praising local government for its efficiency in one breath, but then subjecting it to far more savage cuts than other services run centrally in the next. | Cockell also condemned ministers for adopting an "illogical" and contradictory approach, praising local government for its efficiency in one breath, but then subjecting it to far more savage cuts than other services run centrally in the next. |
| "Government keeps saying to us you are the most efficient part of public services. How can the most efficient part of public services take a disproportionate cut when less efficient parts of public services are being protected? | "Government keeps saying to us you are the most efficient part of public services. How can the most efficient part of public services take a disproportionate cut when less efficient parts of public services are being protected? |
| "That is illogical for a start. We have had a 30% cut in our budget over four years and we are the side of public services that is efficient. You cannot keep cutting services and think it is not going to have an effect at street level." | "That is illogical for a start. We have had a 30% cut in our budget over four years and we are the side of public services that is efficient. You cannot keep cutting services and think it is not going to have an effect at street level." |
| His strong attacks are mirrored across Tory-run local government. In many parts of the country tempers are fraying as local authorities come to the view that they are being used as scapegoats by central government. | His strong attacks are mirrored across Tory-run local government. In many parts of the country tempers are fraying as local authorities come to the view that they are being used as scapegoats by central government. |
| The leader of Tory-run Chiltern district council, Nick Rose, said the way central government was treating local councils and local people was "immoral". "Eric Pickles told us it would be immoral for councils to put up council tax. When it comes to morality, their immorality is in a different league," he said. | The leader of Tory-run Chiltern district council, Nick Rose, said the way central government was treating local councils and local people was "immoral". "Eric Pickles told us it would be immoral for councils to put up council tax. When it comes to morality, their immorality is in a different league," he said. |
| The local elections will take place on 2 May in 35 English councils, including all 27 non-metropolitan county councils. Last time the same councils were contested in 2009 the Conservative swept the board, gaining control of seven councils and adding 244 councillors, while Labour lost four councils and 291 councillors. This year's elections are seen as a vital test for David Cameron, amid nagging doubts within the party over his leadership, and the rise of Ukip, whose leader Nigel Farage is planning to put forward 2,000 candidates. | The local elections will take place on 2 May in 35 English councils, including all 27 non-metropolitan county councils. Last time the same councils were contested in 2009 the Conservative swept the board, gaining control of seven councils and adding 244 councillors, while Labour lost four councils and 291 councillors. This year's elections are seen as a vital test for David Cameron, amid nagging doubts within the party over his leadership, and the rise of Ukip, whose leader Nigel Farage is planning to put forward 2,000 candidates. |
| Roger Begy, the leader of Conservative-controlled Rutland council, who heads the coalition Sparsity Partnership for Authorities Delivering Rural Services (Sparse), said the further 1% cut announced by Osborne in the budget would put "significantly more pressure" on rural councils, and predicted that Tory councillors "will be answering tough questions on the doorsteps". | Roger Begy, the leader of Conservative-controlled Rutland council, who heads the coalition Sparsity Partnership for Authorities Delivering Rural Services (Sparse), said the further 1% cut announced by Osborne in the budget would put "significantly more pressure" on rural councils, and predicted that Tory councillors "will be answering tough questions on the doorsteps". |
| John Weighell, the Tory leader of North Yorkshire county council, said central government liked to let local authorities take the blame when it often lay elsewhere. "My fear is that the elections will depend on the popularity of the parties nationally," he said. | John Weighell, the Tory leader of North Yorkshire county council, said central government liked to let local authorities take the blame when it often lay elsewhere. "My fear is that the elections will depend on the popularity of the parties nationally," he said. |
| Cockell added: "Councils are already dealing with a 33% cut in funding from central government. Any new cuts next year and beyond will have a significant negative impact, particularly as the rising cost of services, such as adult social care, are already guaranteed to soak up an increasing share of funds. The government needs to reconsider its approach ahead of the 2015-16 spending round." | Cockell added: "Councils are already dealing with a 33% cut in funding from central government. Any new cuts next year and beyond will have a significant negative impact, particularly as the rising cost of services, such as adult social care, are already guaranteed to soak up an increasing share of funds. The government needs to reconsider its approach ahead of the 2015-16 spending round." |
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