Public must ask about effects of spending cuts
THE recent announcement (Sussex Express) from East Sussex County Council regarding public sector spending cuts is both inevitable and disappointing.
Across the region many councils are being asked to rein in their budgets to help alleviate the financial mismanagement of central government.
The consequences of the announced county cuts have yet to be detailed and felt, so Lewes Green Party encourages everybody to ask many questions of the Conservative led council's proposed savings.
Visibility, accountibility and public engagement on this issue is needed immediately.
Questions such as: How many council workers will lose their jobs over the coming months and years? Is County Hall still being closed, sold and relocated from Lewes? Could non-essential multi-million pound road schemes be shelved to ensure the continuation and improvement of core public services?
How will local education and social care be affected by budgetary cuts?
How can county council infrastructure projects ensure value for money without expensive delays in the future? These questions, and many more, need to be raised and answered as a matter of urgency so that the magnitude of local public sector cuts can be made clear to the people who feel the brunt of such 'efficiencies'.
Lewes Green Party believes that it is only fair that we should all have access to high quality and effective public services.
Most importantly though, during these challenging times, focus must not be lost on the quality of people's lives, especially of those who are most vulnerable.
Matt Kent, Secretary, on behalf of Lewes District Green Party
Email to a friend
Print this page- Severe weather warning for ice in East Sussex issued by Met Office
- Snow, ice and sub zero temperatures as Met Office issues severe weather warnings for East Sussex
- KPMG appointed as Peacocks administrator
- East Sussex on high alert for severe cold weather this week
- ‘Be prepared’ for snow in East Sussex warning
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Lewes
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 0 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
