TAKEN overall as a package of measures, the Government?s proposed funding for Devon looks set to leave the county receiving £50 per person less grant than even the average for English counties ? the equivalent of £36-million less for public services in the county or equal to 14% on council tax. The problem facing Devon is that the Government?s system for distributing grant is largely influenced by property prices and not incomes. This means that the Government wrongly assumes that Devon is a rich county, when in reality average incomes are the third lowest in the country. That?s why the county council is appealing against the Government?s proposals. We owe it to the people of Devon to lobby for justice on their behalf. Although the Government?s planned grant increase for our schools is very welcome and a just reward for years of lobbying for fairer funding, we are very concerned about other vital services such as social care and roads. For these services the proposed grant increase is just 2.5% at a time when the need for social services is rising relentlessly and road maintenance costs, driven by rising oil prices, are forecast to increase by 14%. One of the key planks in Devon?s case against the Government?s proposals is Whitehall?s planned switching of £6.4-million grant from the county to the capital and metropolitan districts. This controversial process ? known as ?resource equalisation? ?caused uproar in 2003/4 when it led to a rocketing in council tax in many southern counties, including Devon. Devon is independently rated by the Audit Commission as one of the country?s 4-star councils. That assessment is only awarded to councils who are judged to use resources prudently and you can be assured that the county council will use all its skills to achieve the best possible budget for our county. County Councillor Roy Connelly Tavistock
