Councils struggle after years of Tory cuts

Lib Dem elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor has slammed the Conservative government for failing to fund local councils after figures showed a £3.5 billion black hole in national local government funding this year.

Across the country councils are cutting services to fill in the gap. Although Lib Dem-run Watford Council is in a better position than most, difficult choices will still have to be made in the budget this year.

Lib Dem Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said:

“Watford Council has lost 50% of its funding from the Conservative government over the last 10 years. On top of that we are dealing with high inflation, high interest rates and the results of the government’s failing economy. It’s a scandal.”

Thanks to careful investment and management by the council over many years, Watford Council has been able to raise money from commercial property, which helps to fund services. However, some charges will need to go up to reflect the increased costs of delivering them.

“I made promises in my manifesto to deliver for residents and invest for the future,” Peter Taylor said. “I will continue to deliver these promises to improve our local parks, protect the local environment and always put the most vulnerable residents first.”