WIRRAL'S Labour cabinet has launched a scathing attack on the Government's “absolutely appalling" austerity measures, describing repeated funding cuts as a “disgrace”.

With another year when tens of millions of pounds are to be cut once again, cabinet members condemned Prime Minister Theresa May's government, saying they would be enough to wipe out an entire category of council services.

Council leader Phil Davies told the meeting at Wallasey Town Hall: "The ongoing challenge is that we have a government still hell-bent on austerity, which I believe is the wrong course nationally.

"But we have to deal with that and collectively make sure we can deliver more for less.

"The next 12 months will be another year we have to make significant savings, with a continued focus on being more innovative and more creative."

According to councillors, a further £45m is to be cut from council services over the coming year.

Cllr Phillip Brightmore, cabinet member for leisure and recreation, said: "I've been a councillor for five years and every year we've been asked to make cuts, it's a disgrace, it's astonishing.

"If I had to take £45m from my budget, everything I cover would be removed.

"I don't consider myself cabinet member for leisure, I consider myself cabinet member for saving our libraries, leisure centres and services from this government, and that’s something I'm determined to do."

Cllr Bernie Mooney said she didn't think the "penny had dropped" for the government with the way it was "continuing along the path of austerity".

She added: "Keeping people in poverty is a very expensive thing to do. People in poverty are sicker, need more health care and more services.

"For us, as a council, that gives us more problems.

"Wirral is a beautiful place to live.

"We're doing the best we can in a very difficult situation.

"If we got more money so we could look after our residents better, it would cost [the government] less.

"The sooner we get rid of this government, the better."

Cllr George Davies said the austerity measures were "absolutely appalling", adding: "We must protect the people of Wirral."

Cllr Matthew Patrick said: "It's a challenge for every Wirral citizen, so if anyone has any ideas about how we can fund these services, we've got to hear from them."

It came as part of Wirral council’s first cabinet meeting since the election, with Cllr Phil Davies also laying out the local authority’s five priorities for the coming year.

 

In response, Wirral's Conservative Group leader Ian Lewis said: "The taxpayers of Wirral would be better served if the Cabinet put more effort into delivering services and spent less time whinging and whining with this kind of political claptrap. 

 

"If they want more money, here’s three suggestions – spend less on consultants, stop wasting money on your vanity projects, such as the Wirral View and Golf Resort, and stop employing senior directors paid more than the Secretary General of the United Nations."

 

A spokesman for the ministry of housing, communities and local government said: "Wirral Council will have £522m available to spend this year and next, and it is up to them to use the money to meet needs in their area.

"We are working with local government to develop a funding system for the future based on the needs of different areas."