Richmond Lib Dems launch campaign against Labour's £29m funding cut

Gareth Roberts challenges new PM Andy Burnham to match his words with action

Richmond Liberal Democrats have launched a Keep Your Hands Off Richmond's Funding campaign, calling on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to give Richmond a fairer and smoother transition to Labour's new local government funding arrangements.

Richmond is facing a £29 million-a-year reduction in funding by 2028/29, one of the biggest reductions facing any council in London.

Cllr Gareth Roberts, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Richmond Council, said:

    “Andy Burnham told the country that local government is ‘threadbare’, without the resources even to fulfil its statutory responsibilities. He has promised to rebalance power and resources away from Whitehall and towards local communities.

    “So the new Prime Minister now has a simple choice: match his words with action, or take £29 million a year away from Richmond.

    “Richmond has managed its finances responsibly for eight years, finding millions in savings while protecting the services residents rely on. This Government funding grab is being imposed over a recklessly short timescale. We are fighting for a fairer and smoother transition.

    “Unlike neighbouring Conservative-controlled Wandsworth, we are not proposing to put Council Tax up by 160% to deal with the pressure.

    “Andy Burnham says he believes in ‘place-first, not party-first’. If he really means that, he should start by giving Richmond a fair deal.”

Cllr Jim Millard, Liberal Democrat Lead Member for Finance, said:

   “We will continue to find efficiencies, commencing a £30 million transformation programme to make every pound go further, but Richmond should not be forced to absorb such a huge funding reduction in such a short space of time - that risks a cliff edge for vital services.

   “Nearly 70 pence in every pound we spend goes towards supporting vulnerable adults, older residents and children. With need growing rapidly and now international events driving inflation back up, cost and demand pressures are mounting unsustainably. There is only so much more that can be saved beyond what we’re already doing without affecting the services people depend on.”

   “If Labour genuinely believes in giving local government the power and resources to get things done, it needs to look again at transitional arrangements and give Richmond a fair deal.”

Residents are being urged to sign the Keep Your Hands Off Richmond's Funding petition and ask friends, family and neighbours to do the same.