Reform Durham propose cutting £1m fund for town and parish councils

Reform-led Durham County Council has been criticised for proposing to cut the £1 million it gives out to communities each year for maintaining local services and hosting events. 

County Durham Association of Local Councils (CDALC), which represents town and parish councils, warned that the cuts would impact the region’s most deprived communities. 

And Great Aycliffe Town Council said it would be forced to cut local services or have residents pay more council tax as it faces a £145,000 revenue shortfall. 

Reacting to the proposals, the town council said: “This action is effectively forcing parish and town councils to make a choice, at very late notice, between making significant cuts to services and facilities or considering substantial council tax rises for residents.

“This grant cut is being imposed on the town council with little notice or consultation at a very late stage in the budget setting process, and that making cuts to valued town council services and events is not an acceptable course of action.”

The council has told residents that the grant cut would “regrettably” result in a monthly increase of £1.16 in the Band A Town Council Tax bill.

The council added it hoped residents would agree it is a “small price to pay” to ensure that all the existing services it provides can be protected for another year, ‘despite the actions of Durham County Council’.

Largest potential budget decreases 

Peterlee Town Council – 160,988.41 

Great Aycliffe Town Council – 114,617.24

Ferryhill Town Council – 109, 724.14

Seaham Town Council – 95,024.97

Horden Parish Council – 60,393.34

Peterlee Town Council could see its budget slashed by about £161,000 if the proposal is approved, while Seaham Town Council could see a decrease of £95,000. 

Parish councillors in Trimdon have warned they would be unable to host Durham Brass Festival events in the future if the proposed £18,000 decrease went ahead. 

Labour’s Rob Crute, county councillor for Blackhalls and Hesledens, said: “Reform UK councillors in County Hall voted to scrap the 100 per cent exemption for some of the most vulnerable working-age households in receipt of council tax benefit.

“They’ve turned their attention to our parish councils by removing grants that provide valued local services in our communities.”

Great Aycliffe town councillors have written to the Government and local MPs, urging them to review Durham County Council’s funding proposals. 

Cllr Crute added: “Our parish councillors get to take the hit while Reform county councillors get to say ‘wasn’t me, guv’.

“Reform UK’s defenders will now be telling us we need to tighten our belts – no doubt a direct consequence of all the Tory austerity diehards swelling their ranks.”

Durham County Council’s latest potential cost-cutting measure comes after councillors voted earlier this month to scrap 100 per cent council tax reductions for low earners, meaning most residents will pay a minimum of 10 per cent from April.

Darren Grimes, council deputy leader, said the proposals are subject to a public consultation before a final decision is made. 

He said: “Rob Crute is hyperventilating over a consultation. It is typical of Labour to scream about spending cuts while offering zero solutions to the financial black hole we’ve inherited.”

“The funding arrangement [town and parish councils] are clinging to is not replicated in most other local authorities. We are simply asking why Durham’s taxpayers should be an exception to the rule.

“This administration has identified tens of millions in savings to protect frontline services. We are making the difficult decisions required to keep this council afloat. Meanwhile, Labour offers nothing but grievance politics and imaginary money.”