‘Smoke and Mirrors’: Havering Council Leader Hits Out at Government Budget
Councillor Keith Prince AM, Leader of Havering Council, has responded to the Government’s Budget.
“The Government’s budget is the usual smoke and mirrors.
We will need to look at the detail that comes out afterwards to fully see how it affects us.
However, what we have seen is a mixed bag. Yes, it is good news that they are looking at the cost of living.
It is also good news they are looking at how more funding makes its way to Local Government through Business Rates and Income Tax.
The issue here is that this will go directly to Mayors – which might work well for other parts of England where Leaders are directly involved.
In London though we have a very different system where the Mayor effectively has complete control.
The Government’s published Fiscal Devolution Roadmap offers no clarity on what Havering’s finances could look like in years ahead.
While Local Authorities across the Country have an indication of what to expect, Havering, which is already being severely disadvantaged by the current funding formula, has no such certainty and will not have any for at least another two or three years.
Often any investment or funding we get is nowhere near what other London Boroughs receive, particularly Inner-London.
So, the proof will be in the pudding, and we will continue to Lobby the Government and the Greater London Authority on behalf of Havering’s residents, so we get our fair share.”
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