Sometimes a single word says it all. My reaction to the governments financial settlement for Medway announced this week? APPALLED!
Despite all our lobbying of government our settlement this year is among the lowest in the country. The increase at 4·4% is well below the average of 6·1% for unitary councils.
The cash difference between our settlement and the average amounts to £3·5 million, and to replace it would mean an increase in our council tax of 5·5%.
Deep frustration sets in when you consider we twice met with the local government minister last year to press our case for a better deal for Medway.
He recognised that we are the lowest taxing council in mainland England, and that we are careful in the way we spend our money. Yet none of our talking seems to have made the slightest difference.
This year we have twice asked for meetings with the minister, but twice he has said he is too busy! Obviously also too busy to remember the discussions we had last year.
Last year a poor settlement for Medway was greeted as a good settlement by local MPs following the government line. This time they need to be seen to support the people of Medway, and tackle the government on this blatant unfairness.
We need to know where the missing £3·5 million has gone before we start believing a government that once again demonstrates its bias against Medway. It is Medway people who will ultimately suffer.