Yahoo News Durham council pleads with next government to fix 'systemic problems'
Council leaders have urged the new government to take “bold action to fix systemic problems” affecting local communities and authorities.
Durham County Council’s message to the main political parties noted the struggles the local authority continues to face after cuts to key services and funding.
Speaking on behalf of the Joint Administration of Durham County Council, Amanda Hopgood said: “Clearly, whoever forms the next government will have some huge issues to address on a national and international scale, but it’s essential that they also focus on local and regional matters, and on the challenges that face residents daily in areas such as County Durham.
“There are long-standing systemic problems that affect people here, which can only be fixed through bold action by decision-makers in Westminster.”
Durham County Council’s message to the main political parties noted the struggles the local authority continues to face after cuts to key services and funding. (Image: Contributor)
Council Leader Hopgood challenged the next government to be tougher on regulating children’s homes and student landlords, two issues affecting County Durham communities.
The Liberal Democrat added: “Beyond the core financial challenges, we need a government that is finally prepared to deal with some other major issues that have a big impact on local authorities such as Durham County Council. Children’s homes and service providers should be better regulated, to ensure the system is affordable, and focussed on working with the sector on how future needs are met.
“There are also other changes in legislation that should be made - these would cost the government nothing, but would increase income for local authorities. For example, landlords of student HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) pay neither council tax nor business rates - this has not been looked at for over a decade and with the expansion of universities, is costing local authorities around the country millions of pounds.”
Increased investment for the North East is also on the council’s list of priorities, while leaders also called for changes to the council’s low council tax base, which restricts its finances.
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“No recent government has delivered fair funding for the regions, or channelled sustained extra support for areas of deprivation,” cllr Hopgood added.
“At the very least – and I am sure that other councils will echo this – we need multi-year funding settlements and a recognition of the acute pressures that unitary councils face in dealing with the huge increases in demand in social care. We have to be able to plan with some degree of certainty about available resources.
“Properly dealing with issues like these, and others, should be high on the list of priorities for a new government. Fine words about the regions during a campaign are one thing, but talk is cheap, while action requires a commitment of significant, sustained, and fairly allocated resources, and the early introduction and implementation of new legislation. This is what local authorities like Durham County Council, and our local communities, need more than ever.”
