We have to fight to keep funding
ROB Polhill, Halton Council leader and Labour councillor for Halton View in Widnes, said: “Being a member of the European Union gave us access to the EU Structural Funds and other EU funds that were targeted at poorer areas like Halton.
“Over the years Halton has done well with this European money, receiving over £30m since 2000.
“This money has helped us with regeneration and other projects which have sustained and created jobs in the borough.
“Major developments like 3MG, Widnes Waterfront, Castlefields, Sci Tech Daresbury have all benefited from EU funding.
“In addition, funding has supported projects to help local people to retrain and learn new skills.
“With the funding of some of these projects running until 2020, it is unclear as to what will now happen, but when Government provides guidance we will communicate that appropriately.
“However, we will be lobbying very strongly to make sure that the funding remains in place.
“Since 2010, this Government has targeted local authorities with their so called austerity agenda.
“This has seen the gap widening between the North and South and rich and poor. In Halton our budget has already been cut by £52m.
“My concern now, given the threat by the Chancellor, prior to the referendum result, about further austerity cuts if the vote was to leave, is the potential impact of those cuts on Halton if that happens and what that will mean for our services.
“In the run up to the referendum there was a terrific amount of information given out by both sides.
“I personally felt it was overload, making it difficult for many voters to decide just who to believe.
“However, a vote was taken to leave and we have got to respect that decision.
“We will now be fighting hard to make sure Halton doesn’t lose out.”