Council chiefs’ funding plea

Council bosses have called for a “fair share” of funding from government as they struggle to balance the books and provide services.

This week, Sunderland City Council’s cabinet met to discuss their revenue budget for the next two years up to 2020/21.

Currently, a further £28.8million cuts to services are still needed alongside increased pressures around childrens’ services and adult social care.

Labour leaders, sitting at Sunderland Civic Centre, claimed almost a decade of austerity had had a huge impact on Sunderland residents.

The comments came during a discussion of the Provisional Local Government Settlement, announced just before Christmas, which sets out core funding available to councils.

For Sunderland, it indicated an increase of £4.9million for next year – a 2.1% increase compared to the current year and below the national average of 2.8%.

However, Sunderland’s 2.1% represents a reduction because inflation is at 2.3%.

Deputy leader of Sunderland City Council, Michael Mordey, told councillors there was a divide between the north and south.

“Hard-working families and taxpayers contribute to this country, we should demand we get our fair share of funding back,” he said.

Within the settlement funding asessment, Sunderland City Council will receive a ‘revenue support grant’ of about £27million next year (2019/20).

A report, presented to councillors, states this represents a cut of 24% and nearly £9million over last year.