"Since 2010 GYBC has faced cuts to its core funding of over 60% which is one of the highest in the UK." Trevor Wainwright - Leader of the Labour Group
Trevor Wainwright - Leader of the Labour Group

Labour Group GYBC Budget 2019/2020 Press Statement

The proposed Conservative budget for Great Yarmouth hides the main issues and challenges for the council.

The council faces yet again core funding cuts by the Conservative government voted through by our MP Brandon Lewis. The cut of 3.1% is the largest amongst Norfolk Councils with some receiving increases in their core funding.

At the same time, residents will face one of the largest council tax rises for years.

Since 2010 GYBC has faced cuts to its core funding of over 60% which is one of the highest in the UK.  Currently, the Conservative government is planning changes to the funding of councils which will take more funds from those areas of need and high deprivation and reallocate it to the affluent county shires.

The finance of local councils severely reduced over the past 10 years by the Conservative Government now leaves our council facing a cliff edge in 2020-2022 with a deficit of over £1.5 million and the following year of one of £2.5 million.

In order to present this budget with an £87K deficit, the Conservative group have taken money from a series of budget lines to struggle to meet the financial constraints of the Conservative Government. This is short-termism and does not address the underlying problems of council finance.

The Labour group is proposing amendments to the budget which will be fully funded as explained in this text.

They are:

  • Reduce the proposed charges for the 2-day market from £1 per foot to £.50p funded by £28K from the general fund reserve.
  • Retain the LEGI money (Local Economic Growth Initiative) of £400K to meet the need for economic growth in Great Yarmouth. This is because the economic team and capacity have been systematically dismantled under this Conservative controlling group.
  • Use £100K from the second homes budget line to finance investment in voluntary groups and organisations to meet the growing needs, in a time of Conservative austerity, of Great Yarmouth’s local communities.
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