Labour under pressure to fix local services in budget as councils insist there is no more ‘fat to cut’
Folkestone has been drawing in crowds in recent years with regeneration and private developments transforming parts of this port town on the Kent coast.
But many residents will tell you that the fabric of this community is being torn apart. Local services are deteriorating and have been for some time.
Leisure centres have shut down and Kent County Council recently closed most of its 50 youth clubs.
The local library has been closed for two years because it has fallen into disrepair and the local council says it can’t afford to repair it. Instead, a makeshift library has been set up across the road, in what was once a youth centre.
It’s not a unique story. Across the country, local authorities have seen their budgets slashed over the past decade.
Since 2010, central government has cut its grants, forcing local councils to raise more council tax. That hasn’t been enough to make up the shortfall, with total spending power plummeting by 26% over the past decade.
At the same time demand for core services, mainly adult social care, has soared, meaning councils are trying to deliver more for less.
Unsurprisingly, non-critical services have been the first to go.
Residents of Folkestone say they’ve had enough and expect the new Labour government to make good on its promise to fix their local services.
In Folkestone, volunteers are helping keep the town centre tidy because the local council does not have the resources.
Matthew Jones, a local campaigner, said: “Libraries are not just a place where you borrow books. It’s the centre of a community… where people come, people who are not only unemployed but students too, a place where they can actually find somewhere warm and safe to study with people around them who can help them.”
Kent County Council had to make £90m of savings last year and is now looking to make another £85m.
Along with closing down services, the council is selling its headquarters, a listed building it has called home for more than 100 years because it can no longer afford to maintain it.
Peter Oakford, the council’s deputy leader, said there was no more “fat to cut”.
“We feel for the residents… because of the position we are in we are asking people to pay more for less services. Until the government fully fund social care so the council can fund other areas of non-discretionary business that we support residents with, we’re going to be in this same position.”
Peter Oakford, Kent County Council’s deputy leader, says there is no more “fat to cut” from their budget.
Local authorities, along with other unprotected budgets such as courts and prisons, have borne the brunt of cuts since 2010 as central government sought to prioritise funding for the NHS and schools.
The problems have reached breaking point at a number of local authorities and one in four councils in England say they are likely to have to apply for emergency government bailout agreements to stave off bankruptcy in the next two financial years, according to a new survey by the Local Government Association (LGA).
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A separate report by the union Unison found that local authorities are grappling with a £4.3bn black hole in their budgets next year, which will rise to £8.5bn the following year.
The chancellor is under pressure to find extra money for local councils in her budget next week but she is grappling with spending demands across the public sector.
Rachel Reeves maintains that this type of day-to-day spending can only be covered through taxation, but the government has promised it will not raise income tax, national insurance or VAT.
This means the chancellor has a difficult balance to strike.
Crystal Palace are celebrating a historic win in the FA Cup after a 1-0 victory against Manchester City at Wembley.
It’s the south London club’s first major trophy – and third time lucky after losing two previous finals they have played in. The win also means Palace have qualified for next season’s Europa League.
Eberechi Eze put his side 1-0 up with the game’s only goal in the 16th minute.
Man City were given a chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute, but Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson – who had earlier escaped a red card for a handball outside the box – saved Omar Marmoush’s spot kick.
Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze scores. Pic: PA
Man City’s Omar Marmoush after his penalty was saved. Pic: PA
It briefly seemed the south London team had gone 2-0 up after a 58th-minute strike from Daniel Munoz but the goal was quickly ruled offside.
They then held onto their 1-0 lead until the final whistle, which came after an agonising 10 minutes of injury time.
Dean Henderson dodged a red card and saved a penalty. Pic: PA
Oliver Glasner’s team were the underdogs despite Manchester City having had a difficult season in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s side also lost to their neighbours and rivals Manchester United in last year’s cup final.
‘It’s all about spirit’
Palace goalscorer Eze said he had “no words” as he celebrated with his team mates.
Eze celebrates after the final whistle. Pic: PA
“I can only thank God,” he told ITV. “This is special, this is what dreams are made of, for this club as well. Who would have thought we could do it?
“We’ve made history today. The tactics were good but it’s all about spirit. That’s energy, that’s everyone fighting together and doing what we had to do today.”
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