Efforts ‘stymied’ by funding cuts says Brighton and Hove council boss

Council bosses overseeing a budget of more than £700 million claim they are being “singled out” for cuts by the Government.

Brighton and Hove City Council’s Green administration revealed earlier this week how it plans to make £21 million of savings in the next financial year.

Central to its proposals is a 2% council tax rise with about 160 posts being scrapped.

With town hall finance chiefs still waiting for information from Whitehall about funding for the next 12 months, council leader Jason Kitcat has written to local government secretary Eric Pickles claiming Government policy was halting growth in the area.

Pointing to official figures which show the city has the highest cuts per person in the south east, Coun Kitcat said: “The Government recognises our city’s growth potential and we are often cited as supporting a resilient and innovative economy yet our efforts are apparently being stymied by the demonstrable impact of cuts to funding.

“We appear to have been singled out despite our efforts to nurture growth and our ability to provide for even the most vulnerable is now being severely hampered.

“It is now a matter of fact that cuts are having a measurable and negative impact not only on the most vulnerable, but on the economy as a whole.”

Appeal to government

Coun Kitcat said he had asked for a meeting with Mr Pickles or his staff to discuss the situation and is waiting for a reply.

But Conservative councillor Geoffrey Theobald said Brighton and Hove was the area with the highest amount of Government funding in the south east.

Coun Theobald said: “Coun Kitcat’s claims show a complete lack of understanding of economics.

“It is private enterprise and entrepreneurship that drives economic growth, not public sector spending, important though that is for the services provided by the council.

“The Greens just don’t get that basic concept.”

The budget was discussed at the council’s policy and resources committee meeting on Thursday, November 29.

Three months of consultation will now follow before the final decision is made at a special meeting of all 54 councillors in February.

Cut in Government funding per head of population, 2010-11 to 2012-13
Brighton and Hove £105.44
England average £60.90
Portsmouth £76.12
Southampton £68.02
Lewes £31.02
Mid Sussex £16.89
Adur £30.23
Worthing £28.20
Arun £21.27
Horsham £18.59
Crawley £23.86
Eastbourne £43.06
Hastings £68.16
Rother £35.59
Wealden £24.86