Lib Dems Call for more accountability over Government Spending (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems Call for more accountability over Government Spending

January 20, 2010 12:00 AM

Cllr Richard Brett, Joint Leader of Leeds City Council and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group; will today call on Leeds City Council to support the return of business rates to local authority control, for less interference by central government in regional funding decisions, more powers of scrutiny over regional bodies and the health service, as well as continuing to support the development of Leeds City Region.

Cllr Brett (Lib Dem, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill) said ; "The 'Total Place' analysis requested by the Government shows that over £7 billion of public spending takes place every year in Leeds. But less than £700,000 is raised locally, through Council Tax and charges. While central government retains control over the majority of money invested in public spending across Leeds it is impossible for local people to effectively scrutinise and influence that spending for the benefit of local people. This is a major democratic deficit, and one that we seek to change.

"Hundreds of millions of pounds are raised from local businesses through business rates, and returning this funding to local authorities would be a major step forward in improving democratic accountability."