As Independents and members of smaller parties, we need to take important – sometimes life-changing – decisions on behalf of all our residents, including the most vulnerable.
I hear first hand the tough decisions our leaders are having to make in the face of increasing costs and local needs. Many councils are at breaking point, with the national picture being one of councils having record levels of debts.
“National government has squeezed us dry for many years and there is nothing left”
This is not because we are not up to the task.
It is because national government has squeezed us dry for many years and there is nothing left. Council tax cannot raise the funds where it is needed. Funds must be better devolved to our councils as they are.
I had the pleasure of joining our ‘Next Generation’ cohort in Warwick, an amazing group of motivated, dedicated and passionate future leaders. But there is less and less scope for them to democratically lead their places if we are strangled by national political agendas.
As we head towards a General Election, we need a grown-up relationship with central government that doesn’t keep us dangling on a string waiting for the next one-year settlement.
We need long-term, real funding investment to allow us to plan and properly support our communities. We need more mutual respect and trust.
I was honoured to be part of the Jo Cox Foundation’s recommendations on creating a more ‘civil’ democracy, where elected members and the public alike can create respect and trust by properly debating issues to get the best solutions (see ‘No place in politics: tackling abuse and intimidation’).
