Latest news with #LiberalDemocrat-led
Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Council sparks outrage by claiming it has no money to celebrate VE Day
A Liberal Democrat-led council has been labelled a 'disgrace' after claiming it has no money to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) council said it did not have the funds available to hold an official event in Poole on May 8. The authority made the announcement as it is about to employ a new chief executive on a salary of £205,000. Philip Broadhead, the leader of the Conservative opposition on BCP council, said: 'It's shocking to see the council refuse to fund any events for this historic day in Poole. 'It was bad enough that staple events like the [Bournemouth] Air Festival won't return this year, but VE Day is more than just tourism – it's about commemorating our past; and is precisely the type of thing a council should be doing. 'Meanwhile, the council is spending millions of pounds on unpopular, blanket 20mph speed limits throughout the towns. 'They just don't care about the important things any more.' Poole played a vital role in the liberation of Europe in the Second World War, with the Dorset town being the third largest embarkation port on the south coast for the D-Day landings. Officials will light a beacon outside the town hall in Bournemouth, while in Christchurch there will be a wartime-themed 'grand celebration' on the quay. Dismay Neil Duncan-Jordan, the Labour MP for Poole, said that the historic town was being overlooked. He said: 'I am dismayed that BCP council is not planning to mark VE Day in Poole – especially given our town's proud history and vital role in D-Day. 'Last month I raised concerns with the council about the lack of a formal event in Poole to mark VE Day and suggested that we could have a ceremony in Poole Park on the day, at minimum cost. 'The veterans groups are extremely upset that Poole has been overlooked. 'It just seems like a really poorly made decision given Poole's historic role in WWII. 'Our community wants to honour this important anniversary. Poole residents, especially our veterans, deserve better. 'The groups have said that they could do something in the park but they just need the council's approval to make it official. It does not need to be an expensive event. 'Remembrance events held in Poole in November were attended by thousands of people so there is clearly an appetite for it.' Pete Miles, the mayor of Poole, will travel to Cherbourg on May 8 for celebrations in Normandy, but he is having to fund the £55 trip out of his own pocket. 'VE Day needs to be marked' Josh Brown, who served in the Royal Engineers for six years, described the lack of VE Day events in Poole as a 'shambles'. The 29-year-old, two of whose great-grandparents served in the Second World War, said: 'Such a big event like the 80th anniversary of VE Day needs to be marked, it's not small. 'There are other towns and cities that are marking it. The council seems to splash the cash on irrelevant stuff, but not on what matters. 'I am sure veterans and other members of the public will be upset about this. If this sort of thing happens then we are going to find in 10 years time that we don't celebrate it at all. 'World War Two veterans won't be around forever so 100 per cent we should be chucking everything into it. 'How much does it cost to shut a few roads for the day? They seem to manage other events. 'I think we could have a parade in Poole as it is one of the most important towns involved with VE Day.' Residents have also taken to social media to vent their fury. Don Payne said: 'Whoever made this decision should be thoroughly ashamed. Total disrespect for our military heroes. BCP you are a disgrace.' Alasdair Collins added: 'Given the part that Poole played in WW2 this is a disgraceful decision and an insult to all the veterans, some of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice. Hang your heads in shame all those involved in this decision.' 'Proud of Poole's history' A BCP council spokesman said that residents were being urged to stage street parties to celebrate VE Day. But Rich Herrett, the council's portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said: 'If you would like to organise an event in Poole you are welcome to do so, but we are not in a position to fund that at this point, but the events team remain ever supportive and I am sure will be helpful.' Andy Martin, the council's portfolio holder for culture, communications and customer, added: 'We are proud of Poole's history and involvement at Dunkirk during WWII and of the town's historical naval connections. 'To mark the 80th Anniversary of VE day we are organising a Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole-wide beacon lighting ceremony, which will take place on the forecourt of the BCP Civic Centre for all residents across our area. This is the first time BCP council will be organising an event like this to mark VE day. 'We are working to enable and support community hosted events and have received 30 applications for VE Day Street parties across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.'
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Plans for mayor of Cumbria move a step closer as consultation ends
A PUBLIC consultation into the future of Cumbria's democratic makeup has ended. The consultation was launched to gather the views of Cumbrians over the plans to have a directly elected mayor of the county. Cumbria could be set for a combined authority mayoral election in May 2026 under the plans unveiled by the deputy prime minister. Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Greater Essex, Hampshire and Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton are all six new potential devolution areas throughout England with 'a view to mayoral elections in May 2026", according to Angela Rayner MP. Cumbrian councils were invited to join the government's devolution priority programme after earlier expressing interest in exploring what greater devolution of powers could mean in Cumbria. Metro mayors have proved successful in places like Greater Manchester and Teesside in driving local economic growth and the deputy prime minister has said she would like to see other directly elected, combined authority mayors across the country. Devolution provides regions with more powers and decision-making over matters including transport, employment support, planning, and housing. Senior Labour and Conservative politicians in Cumbria have previously called for a mayor in Cumbria which could bring more powers for local transport links, planning and housing. The proposal to have a mayor in Cumbria has been supported by both the leaders of Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness council. Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: "This is good news for Cumberland and Cumbria as a whole. "Being included in this priority programme is a vote of confidence in our ability to drive investment and deliver for local communities. "Devolution will unlock more funding and more powers for our area, with decisions being made in Cumbria rather than in London." Critics of devolution say that it adds another layer of bureaucracy and does not offer value for money for taxpayers. Speculation has previously run rife over candidates for a potential mayoral contest, but nobody has officially put their hat into the ring. Carlisle MP, Julie Minns has also backed the plans for a regional mayor. 'Greater devolution is key to unlocking regional growth in Cumbria, delivering on the government's plan and putting more money into working people's pockets, while also empowering them to direct change in their communities,' said Ms Minns. 'It will see Cumbria given sweeping new powers, putting our community on the fast-track to deliver growth, opportunities, transport and housing for local communities." Westmorland and Furness Council has stressed the importance of 'sufficient' funding if devolution in Cumbria is to go-ahead to address a 'legacy of underinvestment'. In response to the government's proposals for a mayoral combined authority (MCA) the Liberal Democrat-led authority said the funding must be sufficient to address 'historic underinvestment' in the area. The response from the council reads: 'We await the outcome of the Spending Review later in the year to provide clarity on the future funding for devolution in Cumbria, this understanding will be essential for any decisions to provide our consent. 'Historically, the area has been funded, via 'per head' funding models that have left the area substantially disadvantaged compared to areas with higher population density. 'Devolution has been shown to work in some larger urban and metropolitan areas, but it is not clear how the funding model will work in rural areas where there is a higher cost of service delivery for a dispersed population over a large land area. 'For Cumbria to be a sustainable devolved geography, the funding our area would receive through devolution must be sufficient to make a meaningful difference and address this legacy of underinvestment.' This comes after the local government finance settlement scrapped the rural services delivery grant which resulted in the council losing £6.44 million this financial year. Deputy leader of Westmorland and Furness Council councillor Andrew Jarvis previously described the 'political shift' in funding from rural areas to urban areas as 'deeply disappointing'. The report from the council adds: 'Acknowledging systematic underfunding of some key services in Cumbria and the vital importance of adequate future resourcing, there are potentially significant opportunities for a MCA [mayoral combined authority] to deliver benefits to the local community. 'Many of the devolved powers are essential building blocks for improving social outcomes, such as improving health, housing, transport, employment and the environment. 'The MCA has the opportunity to lead by example, acting as an anchor institution and taking long term decisions that impact on not only its workforce and the local population, but also the outcomes of generations to follow.' MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron previously said Cumbria should be able to get devolution without a mayor. Mr Farron previously said: 'We desperately need our local council to be given more funding and powers if we are to properly deliver for our local communities. 'So therefore, I support the council wanting to engage with the Government on devolution. 'However, I am concerned that there is still a lack of detail from the government about what is on offer, and I still remain of the view we should be able to get devolution without us needing to have a mayor. 'What is most important is that the government keeps its promise of running a proper consultation for local residents. And if, once all the details are made clear, the public decide that they don't wish to have a mayor, then the Labour government must not impose one on us.' Now that the Government-led public consultation exercise has concluded, both unitary councils will then be required to make a final decision later in the year. If approved, Cumbrians could be set to visit the polls for the new combined authority mayor as early as 2026 ahead of planned local council elections in 2027.
The Independent
09-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
VE Day parade to go ahead after councillor suggested it would be ‘elitist'
A military parade will be held to mark VE Day at a council where a senior member suggested such an event would be 'elitist', Sir Ed Davey has announced. Liberal Democrat-led Dacorum Borough Council in Hertfordshire has overturned its decision not to hold an event to mark the end of the Second World War. Commemorations are being held across the country on May 8 to mark the end of the war, including a flypast in London and a service at Westminster Abbey with members of the royal family. While a Dacorum council meeting heard there would not be parade, in a statement released by the council on Wednesday, a spokesperson insisted no events have been cancelled and one will be held. The intention for the event to go ahead was first revealed by Sir Ed, national leader of the Lib Dems, during a local election campaign visit to Gloucester. 'There will be a VE parade, I'm delighted to say,' he said. 'The council wants that. It would be daft not to have one, absolutely daft. 'I'm really looking forward to VE celebrations, the 80th anniversary. 'I think apparently a council officer took a decision without talking to the politicians. 'The politicians are now really clear, the VE parade will go ahead.' Dacorum council cabinet member Caroline Smith-Wright had told a meeting on April 2 that there were no plans for a parade, suggesting such an event would be for the 'elite'. She said: 'We have decided at this point to enable communities to come together and have street parties, and I think… that's for the community, that's for everyone, that encompasses everybody, it doesn't just leave the elite and people to just, kind of, parade. 'This is about normal people celebrating in their communities, sharing food, sitting at a table celebrating, and I think that's a fine way to celebrate VE Day.' She added that the authority had 'done quite a bit of celebrating last year' to mark the council's 50th birthday. The move received significant backlash, with opposition councillors calling for a rethink. Conservative councillor Graeme Elliot said: 'I'm very dismayed about the lack of celebrations – my father fought in that war, I had an uncle that died in the Battle of France, that was the golden generation. 'You think that 50 years of a celebration of a council is far more important than the men and women that gave their lives so that we could stand here.' David Taylor, Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead, shared a statement on X joining the calls for a rethink. He said: 'I am disappointed by the Liberal Democrat-led council's decision to reject the proposal for a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. I believe a parade is what our armed forces deserve.' Dacorum Borough Council said in a statement: 'The Council has not cancelled its VE Day commemoration event or rejected calls for military parades as reported. VE Day belongs to all of us. We are absolutely committed to honouring the sacrifice of our armed forces and ensuring their memory lives on. 'The Council has a long and proud history of supporting commemorative events and our armed forces community.' They said the council will be holding a joint commemorative event with the Royal British Legion as planned, with a parade at the War Memorial. In addition, the council has purchased two 'Tommy Statues' and will be holding a celebratory Armed Forces Day event in June, a commemorative service for VJ Day in August and the annual Remembrance Parade on November 9 and Remembrance Day service on November 11.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
VE Day parade to go ahead after councillor suggested it would be ‘elitist'
A military parade will be held to mark VE Day at a council where a senior member suggested such an event would be 'elitist', Sir Ed Davey has announced. Liberal Democrat-led Dacorum Borough Council in Hertfordshire has overturned its decision not to hold an event to mark the end of the Second World War. Commemorations are being held across the country on May 8 to mark the end of the war, including a flypast in London and a service at Westminster Abbey with members of the royal family. However, Dacorum council initially said it had no plans for a parade. Sir Ed, national leader of the party, announced a formal ceremony will go ahead, as he made a local election campaign visit to Gloucester. 'There will be a VE parade, I'm delighted to say,' he said. 'The council wants that. It would be daft not to have one, absolutely daft. 'I'm really looking forward to VE celebrations, the 80th anniversary. 'I think apparently a council officer took a decision without talking to the politicians. 'The politicians are now really clear, the VE parade will go ahead.' Dacorum council cabinet member Caroline Smith-Wright had told a meeting on April 2 that there were no plans for a parade, suggesting such an event would be for the 'elite'. She said: 'We have decided at this point to enable communities to come together and have street parties, and I think… that's for the community, that's for everyone, that encompasses everybody, it doesn't just leave the elite and people to just, kind of, parade. 'This is about normal people celebrating in their communities, sharing food, sitting at a table celebrating, and I think that's a fine way to celebrate VE Day.' She added that the authority had done 'done quite a bit of celebrating last year' to mark the council's 50th birthday. The move received significant backlash, with opposition councillors calling for a rethink. Conservative councillor Graeme Elliot said: 'I'm very dismayed about the lack of celebrations – my father fought in that war, I had an uncle that died in the Battle of France, that was the golden generation. 'You think that 50 years of a celebration of a council is far more important than the men and women that gave their lives so that we could stand here.' My statement on why I disagree with the Lib Dem decision to reject a VE Day Parade in my area 🇬🇧 — David Taylor MP (@DavidTaylor85) April 8, 2025 David Taylor, Labour MP for Hemel Hempstead, shared a statement on X joining the calls for a rethink. He said: 'I am disappointed by the Liberal Democrat-led council's decision to reject the proposal for a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. I believe a parade is what our armed forces deserve.' Dacorum Borough Council and council leader Sally Symington have been approached for comment.
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Experts identify 45 financial risks at Somerset Council
An independent report into Somerset Council's precarious financial position has identified 45 key risks – 32 of which have been given the highest risk include council reserves falling below £30m and delays to the council's restructuring programme. The report by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) also acknowledged the ongoing pressure from years of frozen council taxes or low increases under predecessor leader of Somerset Council, Bill Revans, said: "The report concurs with our own understanding of the considerable work that lies ahead and the importance of further transformation." Report backdrop The report was commissioned by the government as a condition of the "exceptional financial support" it has given the support includes giving the council permission to raise council tax by 7.49% in the upcoming financial year, and allowing it to sell off buildings to pay for day-to-day November 2023, the council declared a financial emergency, saying it was at risk of going effectively bankrupt unless more than £100m of savings could be found for the 2024/25 financial authority voted through a further £66m package of cuts and savings for its budget for 2025/26, including 555 staff job losses. Experts' verdict CIPFA outlined recommendations to counter the 45 risks it public finance body said further "exceptional financial support" may be needed to balance Somerset Council's budget for 2026/ support would be needed if the Liberal Democrat-led local authority proves "unable to deliver its financial goals" and savings through transformation and devolution of services to town and parish councils, the accountants report called for "rapid mobilisation and a need to increase the pace and co-ordination of the actions that are needed to achieve this".But it also praised the council's "well conceived" and "well led" transformation programme, adding that it "deserves to succeed".However, it pointed out that the programme has led to "poor morale" within the council's workforce and warns that "further steps" are needed to ensure the remaining staff are properly supported.A CIPFA spokesperson said: "The management of debt generally, which is highly distributed across the council, needs a more coordinated approach and should be more closely monitored."Governance in the council generally is satisfactory but capable of improvement in some areas."The adult social care service is being led and managed insightfully, has received significant additional resources, and confronts national rather than local challenges, which are being approached with pragmatic good sense."Children's services remains on its improvement journey."Concern was also raised in the report about the reduction of the council's available reserves. Criticism of councils past Most damningly for the Conservatives, which controlled the county council between 2009 and 2022, the report concludes that "a significant proportion" of the current council's budgetary woes has been caused by the freezing of council tax for six consecutive years from 2010. This "led to funding shortfalls in each future year in perpetuity", the report freezes and low council tax rises were described as "poor decision making".Liberal Democrat-led Somerset Council was formed in April 2023, replacing Somerset County Council and the four district councils of Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West and Taunton, and South reorganisation was based around the One Somerset business case, put forward by Conservative former county council leader David Fothergill and approved by Boris Johnson's government in July 2021. The CIPFA report said it "appears likely that the business case" for creating one authority for Somerset "may have underestimated" how long it would take for the promised financial saving to materialise. Of the originally promised savings of £18.5m, £8.8m has been achieved to date, with the remainder on track to be achieved by the end by April 2026, as part of the council's transformation Fothergill, still a Conservative councillor but now part of the opposition, said the criticisms of the previous council were unfair. He said: "For six years, in the last 10 years, we have not required that additional council tax take. "It is a complete fallacy to say that is the root of the problem. "The root of the problem is the lack of transformation [at the current council] and the lack of transition."He said that when he was in charge, he managed to set balanced budgets for six years, while keeping council tax low or frozen. Mr Fothergill continued: "It's a fallacy to think that council tax should be increased just to increase reserves, when actually we were going through a period of severe austerity and people needed to have relief on their day-to-day expenses."He also disputed the assertion that the timescales for delivering the savings of having one council for Somerset were under-estimated. The councillor said the Lib Dems did not work fast enough when they took control. Mr Revans, the Lib Dem leader of Somerset Council, told BBC Somerset: "We are committed to transparency and so welcome this very detailed report that recognises the significant effort being made to move the council towards sustainability at a time of huge financial pressure across local government."He said the council also "welcomes an acknowledgment of the savings made so far" and of the progress towards sustainable spending for adult social services and children's services.
