I have been receiving worrying reports of more cuts next
year. Now it is perfectly true that the root cause of the cuts is the
Government, who happily withdraw large amounts of funding from local
authorities with no consideration of the consequences. However, West Sussex
County Council’s leadership cannot escape some of the blame. They should have
been shouting from the roof tops about the damaging effect of cuts, but for a
long time they stayed silent. Recent weak criticism by the Council Leader of
some Government policies is too little, too late.
In a report on the Council’s Financial Strategy, the Director
of Finance said, “This is the most
challenging Financial Strategy the County has ever faced, with significant
demand pressures faced, on-going significant reductions in grant support from
Government and uncertainty over other funding streams and the future funding
system for local authorities.” It also seems that some Council services are
likely to overspend this year. In addition, many of the savings forecast to
come from this year’s cuts, and agreed only in February, may not be
realised, thus worsening the overall position.
With costs rising as a result of such things as the weaker pound and the
improvement of dreadfully low pay in the care sector, the situation can only
get worse. It is also reported that West Sussex receives the lowest school funding
level per pupil in the country, amounting to some £200 million less than many
London boroughs. School results are already below average in West Sussex, so further cut
backs in schools will do nothing to improve results.
There have been suggestions that our Fire & Rescue
Service may have to save more than £2 million next year. Last year’s cuts of
£1.6 million resulted in the loss of five frontline fire engines. Previous cuts
saw the closure of three fire stations and the loss of six fire engines. The
often quoted ‘back office’ areas, where it is claimed that cuts can be made
without affecting the service, have been squeezed dry, so it is difficult to
see how any cuts can be made without seriously affecting frontline response.
The cuts made so far have already seen an increase in
response times, in some cases significant increases. Any further cuts to
staffing and frontline fire engines will be disastrous, but there is clearly a
danger that they will see this as their only option. Could Lancing and East
Preston be closed? Might they look again at that illegal crewing system that
involves continuous duty, part on station, part on call. Might they go down the
route of Hampshire and North Yorkshire and use inadequately crewed vehicles to
replace properly crewed fire engines? I sincerely hope none of these will be considered.
They should first shout long and hard at Government and be
honest with MP’s, instead of pretending cuts are not damaging. Short sighted
cuts to the fire & rescue service do not save the country money. The costs
arising from fires and other emergencies, such as property damage, loss of
business and social care, all increase and together outweigh any savings. If that fails, the
Council need to consider using some of their reserves to soften the blow, and
they really must resurrect the plan to merge East & West Sussex Fire &
Rescue Services. That may be the only way to save money with minimum effect on
frontline service.
With County Council elections next May, perhaps now is the
time to start lobbying Councillors to get their finger out and campaign to stop
the finance reductions. With most West Sussex County Councillors being in the
same political party as the Government, surely they can bring some pressure to
bear. I also hope to see Councillors and candidates from other parties regularly speaking
out on these issues.
