The financial crisis facing the Isle of Wight Council was not created by its workers and they shouldn’t be asked to ‘pay the price’ for it, the UK’s largest trade union has said.
Weighing in after a stark warning over County Hall’s finances last week, UNISON has said that if the government wants resilient local authorities and better public services, it must provide the resources to protect jobs.
Last Thursday (9th July), senior council officer Adam Richens told the policy, finance and resources committee some ‘extremely difficult decisions’ will be required to address a funding cap which could reach over £60million in a few years’ time.
He pointed to a graph forecasting a growing structural deficit for the local authority which he said he ‘saw a lot’ during the ‘austerity years’ of the last decade.
A UNISON spokesperson said:
“Protecting jobs is the only way to protect the quality local services communities rely on.
“The financial pressures facing the Isle of Wight Council are sadly not unique. Fourteen years of Conservative austerity have left many councils trying to do more with less, while demand for services like adult social care continues to rise.
“If ministers want resilient councils and better public services, they must provide the resources to protect both jobs and the communities that rely on them.
Article continues below this advertisement “UNISON will be seeking to engage with the council to ensure the fullest possible consultation about constructive ways to tackle the financial crisis with a view to preserving jobs and services.”
Isle of Wight Tories previously justified austerity measures with claims of financial prudence or, in the words of former council leader, David Stewart, “getting our financial house in order”.
Amid cutbacks after Conservatives entered government in 2010, County Hall’s leader at the time, David Pugh, said:
“The fact is we only have so much money to go around. We must focus it on those areas with the greatest identified need.”
