Call for better Funding for Lincolnshire

We have been working nationally for months towards the 25th November, when the Government decides how much it will allocate to public services and after that, how it will be shared out amongst Councils. Without proper funding, our services struggle.

Now our MP’s will vote on it. Will they be speaking up for Lincolnshire?

Here’s the letter we have sent to make the case.

Dear Caroline.

I hope you and your family are well and keeping safe.

As you are just about to vote on the Spending Review I wanted to reiterate the critical role councils have played over the last year in our nation’s fight against covid.

Local government have been the fourth emergency service for our residents, providing the essentials including food, support and funding when most needed. Councils have responded admirably to the pandemic while also managing to provide increased rubbish collections; support the most complex cases of test and trace; safeguard our vulnerable and isolated; organise and distribute food deliveries; support our businesses; respond to increased pressure on the social care system; keep our schools and parks open and safe, support our leisure and arts facilities as best we can, and respond to new announcements on planning and reorganisation, all while preparing for our transition from the EU and everything that entails.

Despite the welcome funding that has come to councils to date, our Councils still face significant uncertainty as they approach next year’s budgets. Councils can make a critical contribution to the economic, social and environment recovery our country needs, but need to be adequately funded to do so.

You will have seen Local Government Association analysis which finds that councils face a £4bn funding gap next year simply to deliver services at today’s levels. This reaches over £5bn by 2024, even if council tax increases by 2 per cent each year and grants increase in line with inflation.

In Lincolnshire, we still need fairer funding that better assists rural Lincolnshire and certainty over long-term funding of Adult care. That is why we are calling for

Sustainable, long term certainty in regards to funding for councils

Parity with the NHS when it comes to clearing all of the costs incurred and income lost due to covid-19

Recognising and acknowledging care and public health workers, alongside NHS staff

Ensuring support reaches those families not in receipt of benefits but on low, unreliable incomes

Greater clarity on the funding announced for the leisure sector

Confirmation of plans beyond Christmas where there may be another peak and a reduction in certain employment which many have come to rely on in the retail and hospitality industries

Dropping of the Planning White Paper proposals that centralises decision-making and creates a level of development that is an unsustainable burden on our local services. You will have seen the County Council’s objection to the Western Growth Corridor building 3,200 houses, but without matching roads and services at the outset. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/

Independents lead 33 councils across England and Wales and form the administration in another 32. Without a party whip our members work closely with their residents, community groups and stakeholders to increase transparency and innovation across local government.

We hope that you will speak up for us in helping Wednesday’s announcement reflects the contribution of all of our councils to date and recognises their critical importance going forward.

Kind Regards,

Marianne Councillor Marianne Overton MBE

Independent Councillor for Bassingham and Welbourn on Lincolnshire County Council and for the Cliff Villages on North Kesteven District Council Leader of the Lincolnshire Independents and the Independent Network Vice Chairman of the Local Government Association www.lincolnshireindependents.org Published by Marianne Overton MBE, Hilltop Farm. Welbourn, Lincolnshire, LN5 0QH Tel: 07920 235 364

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