Fight for fair deal

Published in Weston & Somerset Mercury on Fri 13th Jan 2006

A delegation of councillors and Weston MP John Penrose has lobbied a Government minister for a fairer deal for North Somerset.

North Somerset Council leader Councillor Alan Hockridge headed the group which met with local government minister Jim Fitzpatrick in Whitehall on Tuesday.

The executive member for finance, Cllr Mike Bell, Conservative group leader Cllr Mike Roe, council finance director Phil Hall as well as Mr Penrose helped campaign for more money for the authority.

In a 30-minute meeting, the group discussed a range of issues including the amount of cash the council received from Government for 2006/7.

The delegation also pointed out the proportion of older people living in the area is 25 per cent above the national average, which puts added pressure on council services.

Cllr Bell said: "It was a productive exercise and the minister gave us a fair hearing about the issues facing North Somerset. However, we need action, not just warm words.

"We have the seventh lowest Government grant of any unitary council in England and we are the fifth lowest spending. The council is not asking for special favours, but a fair deal.

"We realise nothing will change in the short term but we feel we have put down a marker and, in that context, we will keep up the pressure on the Government."