By Jamie Shapiro, Local Democracy Reporter
Southampton City Council will write a letter to the prime minister to request “fair and sustainable funding”.
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The motion to write the letter was made by Cllr Eamonn Keogh (Lab), the cabinet member for transport, at last Wednesday’s (March 15) council meeting.
The hope is that the letter will help to persuade the government to offer more financial support to the city council.
In his motion, he said: “Councils up and down the country are facing unprecedented financial pressures which are not of their own making but due to national policy; Southampton is no exception.
“Government measures to reduce public sector spending in the previous decade have seen a significant reduction in local government funding, with the council’s settlement funding assessment reducing by almost a half.
“What is clearly needed is a long-term plan from the national government to change their direction and offer fairer, long-term funding to local authorities.”
However, the letter was not agreed upon by everyone, with the entire Tory opposition opposing the motion.
Conservative councillor John Hannides said: “There is millions of government funding coming through the council and we know that the government funds a range of services that this council undertakes for our residents.
“Over the past 10 years, additional funding from the government has been in excess of £800m to this council.
“It’s not true to say that funding has been slashed – it’s just coming through in a different way.”
The majority Labour party at the council all accepted the motion and it was passed, meaning the letter to government will now be written.
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