The Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Finance reported that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had presented his Autumn Statement 2011 on 29 November 2011 and he provided a summary of the main issues, a number of which had a direct bearing on local authorities. He indicated that the most significant was that the planned four years of spending cuts would now be extended for a further two years to 2017 although the Statement did not reveal where those additional cuts in spending would fall.

On a motion by Councillor P Davies and seconded by Councillor G Davies, it was –

Resolved –

(1)  The Government’s Autumn Statement indicates that their economic plans have been a colossal failure.

(2)  Growth is flat-lining, unemployment is rising and borrowing is £158 billion higher than planned.

(3)  The draconian cuts to local government are extremely damaging and will affect the quality of life of Wirral residents.

(4)  Cabinet calls on the Government to reverse their austerity measures and adopt policies which will grow the economy, create jobs and give local Council’s the ability to fund high quality services.