Leader blames likely cuts and tax rises on Government

THE Conservative leader of Northumberland County Council has blamed a poor financial settlement from Government for looming cuts in this year’s budget.

- JAMES ROBINSON

The Tory-led administration will set out its plans for year ahead in the coming weeks, with council tax rises and efficiencies expected.

Councillors have already clashed with MPs over the settlement, which was finalised following Government reform of council funding to target areas with higher level of deprivation.

The county's Labour MPs said the council would receive an additional £102m between 2024 and 2029, with an additional £25m already allocated last year.

However, the Tories have argued that this presumes councils will increase council tax by the maximum level allowed for the next three years.

Leading members have said they expect to find up to £10m in further cuts this year, having already delivered "planned efficiencies of £27.4m.

Speaking at this week's meeting of the council’s cabinet, leader Glen Sanderson said: "The fact that we are in a sound financial position is frankly no thanks to the settlement we get from Government every year.

"This year I believe we're significantly short. If we look at the balance sheet, we know what we have to spend this year and we know what we have had in from Government and we're short of money this year again.