Grant settlement for North Somerset

12.00.00am GMT Tue 6th Dec 2005

"Disappointing" is how local Liberal Democrat Councillors have described yesterday's government grants announcement by the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister.

North Somerset Council's Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Finance and Performance Councillor Mike Bell said: "The announcement, confirming a total grant of £41.9 million for non-schools services, was slightly better than expected, but still leaves us facing some tough choices.

"It is disappointing that £1.2 million in extra cash that we should have received under the funding formula has been siphoned off and given to other local authorities. That decision alone adds nearly 2% to local council tax bills.

"The final draft budget proposals will be presented to the Executive on 20 December and we will now be working round the clock to make sure that front line services are protected and council tax is kept as low as possible.

"This grant decision also does nothing to address the fundamental unfairness of both the Council Tax system - which is not based on ability to pay - nor the relatively poor deal that North Somerset receives compared to other councils.

"Liberal Democrat Councillors are determined to continue our fight for fairness on two fronts: North Somerset must get a fair deal from the government - and the Council Tax must go."