The threat of more cuts to “vital” local services could lead to the “collapse of society”, according one local councillor.
Cllr John Fairclough made the remarks at a meeting of Sefton Council’s cabinet this morning, after a presentation by executive director of corporate resources Stephan Van Arendsen into the council’s precarious financial situation.
Discussing the council’s medium term financial plan, Mr Van Arendsen said: “The financial environment the council is in at the moment is quite complex and there is obviously uncertainty about levels of government funding, what the council tax policy is, other funding issues such as around adult social care.
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“Alongside all this the council is continuing to deal with the impact of inflation, pay awards and energy costs.
“Forecasting what they will look like over the next three years is difficult, it will be a brave person to estimate what energy costs will be over that period.”
Mr Arendsen added that the plan would “inevitably” need updating following the chancellors Autumn Statement in November with much uncertainty remaining as to what that will mean for local authorities.
The presentation led council leader Cllr Ian Maher to make a scathing assessment of the government’s role in the council’s financial challenges.
Cllr Maher said: “It just shows that the government don’t understand what local government is, they don’t care about what happens when the local governments across the country get in such dire financial forecast straits, let alone where we are today, and what will happen when councils start falling apart because they just can’t continue?”
The Sefton Council leader described local councils as the “fabric of our society” adding: “All the things that are delivered here, in every borough or district council are what people expect every day of their life to happen – bins being emptied, street lights – these are the things people see.”
Cllr Maher said councils were already operating “year by year by the skin of our teeth” adding: “We can all make political scores and point out the foibles of an ultra-right wing conservative government in place but the reality is our people are being affected every single day.”
Cllr John Fairclough was even more scathing, saying: “We can talk about the complete collapse of society because that’s what’s going on.”
Cllr Paulette Lappin added: “Just to follow on the humanity of all this. The NHS are now treating people who are malnourished when they are brought in.
“These cuts have had a massive impact and will continue to have a massive impact. We’re the sixth wealthiest country in the Western word, it’s an absolute disgrace.”
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