16 April 2008: Lewes District Council failed by Government's poor financial housekeeping

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From April 2006 to the end of March 2009 the Government’s annual free travel Concessionary Bus Fare Scheme will have cost an additional £1.4m of which only half has been funded by the Government. This has left local taxpayers picking up the other half which is very significant at £0.7m. The shortfall is equivalent to 5% of the council’s net budget.

Councillor Ann De Vecchi, Leader of Lewes District Council said “Over the last few months we have met with Government representatives and the Transport Minister to explain to them that despite their pledge “to provide funding for the net additional costs of new burdens” this certainly isn’t the case in Lewes District or indeed throughout Sussex and many of the Home Counties. We were therefore amazed and astounded to receive a letter recently from the Minister for Local Government telling us that it is for local authorities to develop and implement affordable schemes with local bus providers that deliver effective concessionary travel. We shall certainly continue to promote take up of the National Off-Peak bus concession and since the start of April we have received around a hundred new applications each week. The budget for the bus passes has to take priority, which leaves less for other services. The Government is at fault here and although it will not officially acknowledge the position it is signalling its intention to consult on alternative funding solutions to take effect from April 2011. This will not help us in the meantime. We have a rolling programme of efficiency reviews but they alone are not capable of addressing such significant and unprecedented shortfalls. This will inevitably lead to changed priorities in order to balance the budget.”

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Media enquiries: Liz Lacon, Communications Manager