To consider the motion submitted by Councillor J Innes in accordance with Standing Order No. 21:
“Councils are facing a funding crisis and the Tory government is to blame.
Austerity has caused huge damage to communities up and down the UK, with devastating effects on key public services that protect the most defenceless in society, act as a safety net for hard working families and the services we all rely on, like clean streets, refuse collections, parks and open spaces.
The Prime Minister claimed that ‘austerity is over’ even while planning a further £1.3bn cut to council budgets next year.
Councils like ours are all that stand between our communities and the government’s unfair cuts and welfare reforms.
This Council continues to do its best to protect its communities
from the worst of the government’s austerity measures by
working with the voluntary sector advice agencies and local
churches. Together we support people adversely affected by the roll
out of Universal Credit and to provide a night shelter for the
homeless this winter.
Upgrading our facilities, such as Queens Park Sports Centre,
Winding Wheel Theatre and Town Hall has increased use, brought in
new income and reduced subsidies. We have driven economic growth
through aspirational schemes such as the Northern Gateway. But even
after these measures the Council continues to face a huge gap in
its finances in 2020/21.
Despite a campaign by Labour councillors calling for the government to put a real end to austerity the government is still forcing councils to make further cuts. Council Budgets are now at breaking point – and this council says that enough is enough. The government must bring a full stop to cuts and its welfare reforms which are taking our country back to Victorian times.”
Minutes:
It was moved by Councillor J Innes and seconded by Councillor Rayner that:
“Councils are facing a funding crisis and the Tory government is to blame.
Austerity has caused huge damage to communities up and down the UK, with devastating effects on key public services that protect the most defenceless in society, act as a safety net for hard working families and the services we all rely on, like clean streets, refuse collections, parks and open spaces.
The Prime Minister claimed that ‘austerity is over’ even while planning a further £1.3bn cut to council budgets next year.
Councils like ours are all that stand between our communities and the government’s unfair cuts and welfare reforms.
This Council continues to do its best to protect its communities
from the worst of the government’s austerity measures by
working with the voluntary sector advice agencies and local
churches. Together we support people adversely affected by the roll
out of Universal Credit and to provide a night shelter for the
homeless this winter.
Upgrading our facilities, such as Queens Park Sports Centre,
Winding Wheel Theatre and Town Hall has increased use, brought in
new income and reduced subsidies. We have driven economic growth
through aspirational schemes such as the Northern Gateway. But even
after these measures the Council continues to face a huge gap in
its finances in 2020/21.
Despite a campaign by Labour councillors calling for the government to put a real end to austerity the government is still forcing councils to make further cuts. Council Budgets are now at breaking point – and this council says that enough is enough. The government must bring a full stop to cuts and its welfare reforms which are taking our country back to Victorian times.”
On being put to the vote the motion was declared carried.