Proposed by Councillor Phil Davies

Seconded by Councillor Ann McLachlan

(1)  This Council believes that the Government’s cuts to the funding of local Councils is proving to be profoundly unfair. Authorities with the highest levels of poverty and deprivation are facing the biggest cuts. At the same time, wealthy areas with the lowest levels of poverty pay less.

(2)  Wirral is losing £151 per head in cuts. Liverpool is losing £252, Manchester is losing £209, Newcastle is losing £162, Birmingham is losing £166, and Sheffield is losing £140 per head.

(3)  Milton Keynes is losing just £38 per head. Central Bedfordshire is losing £18 per head. And people in North Dorset are losing just £2 per head.

(4)  Council also notes that a recent report by SIGOMA (Special Interest Group of Metropolitan Authorities outside London) indicates that out of the 47 SIGOMA authorities Wirral has had the largest cut in its funding from central government (2.62% cut in revenue spending power 2013-14). This compares with the SIGOMA average of -1.78% and the average for Shire Districts of -1.37%.

(5)  Council supports the ‘Come Together’ Campaign launched by the Mayor of Liverpool on the 18th January when the Leaders of Core Cities, Merseyside Districts and Faith Leaders met to discuss the impact of the Government’s austerity policy.

(6)  Council supports the on-line petition which has been launched at www.come-together.co.uk. This calls on the Government to urgently re-think its policy and to apply the cuts more fairly across the country, protecting those most in need, and making sure those in wealthy parts of the country pay their fare share. Council urges all residents to sign this petition.

Amendment submitted in accordance with Standing Order 7(2)

Proposed by Councillor Alan Brighouse

Seconded by Councillor Pat Williams

Delete all and insert:

(1)  Council notes that this Government, in the same way as the previous Government, distributes the Revenue Support Grant so as to take account of the high cost of providing services in areas of high deprivation, thus ensuring that Councils in areas of high deprivation receive significantly more funding than those in the more affluent parts of the country.

(2)  Council does, however, recognise Wirral’s particular financial difficulties as it endeavours to overcome problems created over many years. Council requests the Leader of the Council to make representations to the Government so as to ensure the Government is aware of the specific circumstances facing the Borough.

Following a debate and Councillor Phil Davies having replied, the amendment proposed by Councillor Brighouse was put and lost (27:35) (One abstention).

The motion was put and carried (35:27) (One abstention)

Resolved (35:27) (One abstention) –

(1)  This Council believes that the Government’s cuts to the funding of local Councils is proving to be profoundly unfair. Authorities with the highest levels of poverty and deprivation are facing the biggest cuts. At the same time, wealthy areas with the lowest levels of poverty pay less.

(2)  Wirral is losing £151 per head in cuts. Liverpool is losing £252, Manchester is losing £209, Newcastle is losing £162, Birmingham is losing £166, and Sheffield is losing £140 per head.

(3)  Milton Keynes is losing just £38 per head. Central Bedfordshire is losing £18 per head. And people in North Dorset are losing just £2 per head.

(4)  Council also notes that a recent report by SIGOMA (Special Interest Group of Metropolitan Authorities outside London) indicates that out of the 47 SIGOMA authorities Wirral has had the largest cut in its funding from central government (2.62% cut in revenue spending power 2013-14). This compares with the SIGOMA average of -1.78% and the average for Shire Districts of -1.37%.

(5)  Council supports the ‘Come Together’ Campaign launched by the Mayor of Liverpool on the 18th January when the Leaders of Core Cities, Merseyside Districts and Faith Leaders met to discuss the impact of the Government’s austerity policy.

(6)  Council supports the on-line petition which has been launched at www.come-together.co.uk. This calls on the Government to urgently re-think its policy and to apply the cuts more fairly across the country, protecting those most in need, and making sure those in wealthy parts of the country pay their fare share. Council urges all residents to sign this petition.