15/12/2009 KENT CONSERVATIVES SECRETIVE ABOUT GOVERNMNET MONEY FOR KENT

 

Conservative run Kent County Council have kept silent about above-inflation  Government Grants. Every year at this time Government announce their allocation of grants to all Councils to help fund all local services. This Government is the first to announce a 3 year programme of settlements for Formula Grants giving Local Authorities the opportunity to plan ahead, and also the first Government to have totally honoured their commitments despite current financial pressures. These grants are vital for Councils in setting their Council Tax rates and in past years at this time Kent County Council have been screaming from the rooftops about insufficient money from Government – but not this year. These grants were announced at the beginning of December but have been greeted with a loud silence from KCC.

At the County Council Meeting on 10th December, Leslie Christie, Labour Group Leader, pointed out that while KCC were issuing press releases by the dozen not one mentioned the increase in Formula Grant or the Dedicated School Grant (DSG). He went on to say “With an increase in Formula Grant of 3.2% (nearly £9 million) and an increase in the Dedicated School Grant of 4.2% per pupil (nearly £33.5 million) for 2010/11 while inflation is running at 0.8% (October RPI), it is no wonder that John Simmonds, Cabinet Member for Finance, talks about “the years of the Gravy Train” This is the 13th straight year of above inflation increases for local authorities making the 12 years of this Government providing a real terms increase of 39% overall. I only wish that the Conservative administration had been prepared to admit they were on a “gravy train” instead of complaining and whinging about the Annual settlements”

Leslie Christie went on to say “I have searched high and low for any KCC press release to tell the public of Kent that the Government has provided this increase but without success. They can’t wait to rush into print to sing their own praises but are very reluctant to let the people of Kent know about the Government providing above inflation increases”.

Leslie Christie:

Phone 01474 361564 or 07889 639428

Email leslie.christie@kent.gov.uk

 

 
Published by Ray Parker on behalf of Kent County Council Labour Group.   KCC Labour Group Sessions House County Hall Maidstone Kent ME14 1XQ The views expressed are those of KCC Labour Group and not the website provider.