Councillors unite to demand promised Government Funding

In an unprecedented move, leaders of all four political groups on Epsom & Ewell Borough Council have jointly written demanding that Government cash is delivered as promised. In response to Local Government Minister Nick Raynesford's announcement that all 'shire' Districts would receive 3% extra grant to help with next year's budget, councillors united to write asking for this to be delivered.

The whole Council is extremely annoyed that the transfers of grant from Revenue Support Grant (RSG) to Benefits subsidy will actually mean that the actual amount of extra cash that central Government is proposing to pay the council next year is only £30,000. If the grant changes had not been made the Council should have received £120,000.

Cllr Colin Taylor, leader of the Lib Dem group helped to draft the letter, which says "It does nothing for the reputation of local or central government to have these complex changes to funding, which inevitably lead to confusion in the minds of the public as to the real increase in local funding. We need high standards in public life, and that must include the statements from the ODPM, which should give the whole truth about the effects of the grant settlement policy."

He explained "A promised minimum increase of 3% must mean just that. In our case, it must mean a rise in actual grant paid of at least £120,000."