Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC 20240704

For a few months ever since they proved that section m14 noticed proved that section 1414 noticed where they declared themselves bankrupt. We are at a point now where they have to make £300 million savings for the next two years and if they dont agree this budget they will be bankrupt. The money will run out and people wont get paid. They are gathering in the Council Chamber, we think they will Start Talking about the budget in about 20 minutes or half an hour. You will hear a lot of different politicians talking. Labourwill hear a lot of different politicians talking. Labour will probably blame the conservative government for the reduced income its had, the lower grants over recent years in terms of austerity. The conservatives will blame labourfor austerity. The conservatives will blame labour for its botched introduction of the oracle Payroll System which cost over £100 million and its failure to deal with equal pay abilities which are closing on another billion pounds. We will probably hear from the greens and the lib dems who will blame labour and the conservatives. Its a bit of everything but the reason birmingham are specifically in the problems or the position is largely due to their overspend on oracle and because it just hasnt dealt with the equal pay liabilities and its had a long time to do so and that has caused real problems with its finances. That meant that for the past six months government appointed commissioners have been overseeing the running of the council. So many things are going to be kept as a result of those savings. Going to be kept as a result of those savins. ~. ,. , those savings. What sort of things are we talking those savings. What sort of things are we talking about those savings. What sort of things are we talking about that those savings. What sort of things are we talking about that will are we talking about that will disappear . Are we talking about that will disauear . ,. , ,. Disappear . Every aspect of public life, i am standing disappear . Every aspect of public life, i am standing next disappear . Every aspect of public life, i am standing next to disappear . Every aspect of public life, i am standing next to the. Disappear . Every aspect of public. Life, i am standing next to the area which is the entertainment district, you have sympathy symphony hall, all of those are losing their budgets, it will affect the city of birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the royal ballet. Any small arts project is likely to be losing much of its funding over the next two years. The streetlights are going to be dimmed by 10 . Years. The streetlights are going to be dimmed by10 . A years. The streetlights are going to be dimmed by 10 . A lot of people are worried about that because of the crime which affects the city. The bins will be collected fortnightly instead of every week. This is a city where you can still see bin bags piled up even though they have weekly collections. Youth clubs will go, buildings will be sold, they might have to sell off part of the collection at the Birmingham Museum and art gallery to pay for those bills. Its a real pickle. Its something thats happening across the country but burning and because its the largest Local Authority, there are about 1. 2 Million People here, then everything just seems massive in terms of the scale of the cuts people are facing and the suffering is likely to happen as a result. To give you one more example, lots of people rely on Council Grants for transport for children with special Educational Needs and a lot of that budget is going. People are worried the kids are not going to be able to get to school. �. ,. ,. ,. , school. And we are going to see an increase in school. And we are going to see an increase in council school. And we are going to see an increase in council tax school. And we are going to see an increase in council tax of school. And we are going to see an increase in council tax of 2196 school. And we are going to see an increase in council tax of 2196 overl increase in council tax of 21 over two years. Increase in council tax of 21 over two veere two years. Yes, the numbers are massive two years. Yes, the numbers are massive if two years. Yes, the numbers are massive. If you two years. Yes, the numbers are massive. If you live two years. Yes, the numbers are massive. If you live in two years. Yes, the numbers are massive. If you live in a two years. Yes, the numbers are massive. If you live in a council. Massive. If you live in a council de , band d house in birmingham we are talking about £400 increase over the next two years. Your bill for april will be two happened £200 more in april 25 it will go up another £200. People are saying we didnt get into this mess, you are running the council, why are we paying to bail you out. 21 increase over two years is massive. Normally council are restricted to 5 a year as a maximum but theyve been allowed to do this because of the mess they are in. They have also been allowed to borrow 1. 25 billion from the government in anticipation. You could ask the question why did they own that in the first place. They are going to have to sell that repay the loan. Besides the council tax they will lose about 600 jobs from the council. This is after a decade of cutting numbers. So its hard to think how things were looking a few months time but they will probably look very different to how things are at the moment. We will keep an eye on that meeting of Birmingham City council that is under way and we will go back when councillors vote on those cuts but in the meantime i want to talk to sean davis who is the leader of telford and wrekin council. He is chair of the local Government Association. Why are so Many Councils struggling to balance the books at the moment because the figures show more have gone bankrupt in the last three years than in the last 30 . , � , in the last three years than in the last 30 . , � , �. , last 30 . Thats right. Another start, 19 councils last 30 . Thats right. Another start, 19 councils approached | last 30 . Thats right. Another i start, 19 councils approached the government this year for exceptional financial government this year for exceptional Financial Support with over £2 billion Financial Support with over £2 billion and the reality is we are seeing billion and the reality is we are seeing a billion and the reality is we are seeing a perfect storm. 0ver billion and the reality is we are seeing a perfect storm. Over the last 14 seeing a perfect storm. Over the last 14 years theres been a reduction last 14 years theres been a reduction in the number of money going reduction in the number of money going from reduction in the number of money going from vital to town halls across going from vital to town halls across the country and thats a 26 real terms across the country and thats a 26 real terms reduction. Weve also seen real terms reduction. Weve also seen the real terms reduction. Weve also seen the increase in demand across chiidrens seen the increase in demand across childrens services, Adult Social Care childrens services, Adult Social Care services and temporary accommodation and across the the cost of accommodation and across the the cost of providing those services has also increased. Council tax has increased social care i keep hearing lots of councils mention and the cost of that. Is there any answer to it . We need to see reform and we need to see investment. We have got cases here in see investment. We have got cases here in telford where plea people are looking to are looking for the council are looking to are looking for the council to support them. The backlogs the council to support them. The backlogs in the nhs is causing more issues backlogs in the nhs is causing more issues we backlogs in the nhs is causing more issues. We are seeing more looked after issues. We are seeing more looked after children across the country and the after children across the country and the reasons for that are complicated but are linked to poverty complicated but are linked to poverty in many areas. And we are seeing poverty in many areas. And we are seeing more poverty in many areas. And we are seeing more people in temporary housing seeing more people in temporary Housing Accommodation because they have been Housing Accommodation because they have been evicted by landlords or cant have been evicted by landlords or cant access homes. All of these things cant access homes. All of these things are cant access homes. All of these things are solvable but it requires a partnership between local government and Central Government to solve those government and Central Government to solve those problems. Solve those problems. Another figure i saw was a collective solve those problems. Another figure i saw was a collective deficit i saw was a collective deficit across all of the councils of £5. 2 billion by 2026. That is age enormous number. Its billion by 2026. That is age enormous number. Its incredible. What we say enormous number. Its incredible. What we say is enormous number. Its incredible. What we say is we enormous number. Its incredible. What we say is we have enormous number. Its incredible. What we say is we have a enormous number. Its incredible. What we say is we have a £4 enormous number. Its incredible. | what we say is we have a £4 billion we what we say is we have a £4 billion we need what we say is we have a £4 billion we need for billion pound cash injection we need for billion pound cash injection to we need for billion pound cash injection to keep things still. If we dont injection to keep things still. If we dont have that services will continue we dont have that services will continue to be cut. You talked about council continue to be cut. You talked about council tax continue to be cut. You talked about council tax being increased above the 5 . Council tax being increased above the 5 , council tax has doubled over the 5 , council tax has doubled over the last the 5 , council tax has doubled over the last ten the 5 , council tax has doubled over the last ten years because that is what the last ten years because that is what the the last ten years because that is what the necessity has been to increase what the necessity has been to increase taxation. The reality is we are in increase taxation. The reality is we are in a increase taxation. The reality is we are in a situation where the things that people see from the front door, Litter Collections or access to museums and libraries or leisure centres. Museums and libraries or leisure centres. Att museums and libraries or leisure centres, all of those things are being centres, all of those things are being reduced because councils are having being reduced because councils are having to being reduced because councils are having to fund more and more social Care Services. Having to fund more and more social Care Services Care Services. Jeremy hunt is going to urue Care Services. Jeremy hunt is going to urge councils Care Services. Jeremy hunt is going to urge councils to Care Services. Jeremy hunt is going to urge councils to cut Care Services. Jeremy hunt is going to urge councils to cut back Care Services. Jeremy hunt is going to urge councils to cut back on to urge councils to cut back on spending on consultants and Diversity Schemes as part of the budget tomorrow. How Many Councils spend lots of money on that . Zero. There are no spend lots of money on that . Zero. There are no councils spend lots of money on that . Zero. There are no councils that spend lots of money on that . Zero. There are no councils that spend i spend lots of money on that . Zero. There are no councils that spend a lot of there are no councils that spend a lot of money on equality, diversity and way lot of money on equality, diversity and way councils to spend money on that its and way councils to spend money on that its often try and deal with to Community Issues and often to help people Community Issues and often to help people who are blind or cant Access Services people who are blind or cant Access Services i people who are blind or cant Access Services. I would welcome the government removing the need for Councils Government removing the need for councils to government removing the need for councils to look at Recruiting Consultants when it comes to things like competitive bid process. We have like competitive bid process. We have the like competitive bid process. We have the as our situation where councils have the as our situation where councils are competing against one another councils are competing against one another to councils are competing against one another to access Government Funding and if another to access Government Funding and if you another to access Government Funding and if you are a winner then fine but if and if you are a winner then fine but if you and if you are a winner then fine but if you are not you have wasted the money but if you are not you have wasted the money paying consultants to bid for that the money paying consultants to bid for that funding. We need to be allocating funding on the basis of need allocating funding on the basis of need not allocating funding on the basis of need not through the strange competitive exercise we currently see. � ,. , competitive exercise we currently see, � ,. ,. , competitive exercise we currently see, �. , competitive exercise we currently see. ~. , see. Also, i was looking on the issues sometimes see. Also, i was looking on the issues sometimes is see. Also, i was looking on the issues sometimes is that see. Also, i was looking on the issues sometimes is that local| issues sometimes is that local people get their Council Tax Bill, they see its gone up but a lot of they see its gone up but a lot of the time they dont understand what that money is going to pay for. Thats right. If you dont access social thats right. If you dont access social care thats right. If you dont access social care or childrens scale Adult Social Care or childrens scale Adult Social Care then you look at your Adult Social Care then you look at your Council Tax Bill and you are seeing your Council Tax Bill and you are seeing less services and you are paying seeing less services and you are paying more in council taxation. There paying more in council taxation. There is paying more in council taxation. There is a paying more in council taxation. There is a fundamental breakdown between there is a fundamental breakdown between the people are paying locally between the people are paying locally and getting locally compared to what locally and getting locally compared to what used to be funded nationally. To what used to be funded nationall. , ,. , nationally. Stay with us if you can because i nationally. Stay with us if you can because i also nationally. Stay with us if you can because i also want nationally. Stay with us if you can because i also want to nationally. Stay with us if you can because i also want to talk nationally. Stay with us if you can because i also want to talk about| because i also want to talk about Nottingham City Council because last night it approved cuts to jobs and services as part of a £53 million gap in the budget. David meling is the leader of the labour run Nottingham City Council and hejoins us now. We have been hearing about what birmingham is going to have to cut, what are you going to have to cut . � ,. ,. , cut, what are you going to have to cut . � ,. ,. ,. , cut . Its a similar list. Not quite as lona cut . Its a similar list. Not quite as long but cut . Its a similar list. Not quite as long but libraries, cut . Its a similar list. Not quite| as long but libraries, community centres. As long but libraries, community centres, community as long but libraries, community centres, Community Protection l centres, Community Protection officers. Centres, Community Protection officers. Runs centres, Community Protection officers, runs to centres, Community Protection officers, runs to our centres, Community Protection officers, runs to our voluntaryl officers, runs to our voluntary sector, officers, runs to our voluntary sector, grants officers, runs to our voluntary sector, grants to officers, runs to our voluntary sector, grants to allow sector, grants to allow organisations, sector, grants to allow organisations, many. Sector, grants to allow organisations, many other sector, grants to allow organisations, many other things as well on organisations, many other things as well on a organisations, many other things as well on a long organisations, many other things as well on a long list organisations, many other things as well on a long list of organisations, many other things as well on a long list of things organisations, many other things as well on a long list of things that well on a long list of things that are going well on a long list of things that are going to well on a long list of things that are going to affect well on a long list of things that are going to affect our well on a long list of things that are going to affect our communities. The people are going to affect our communities. The people who are going to affect our communities. The people who live are going to affect our communities. The people who live them are going to affect our communities. The people who live them and are going to affect our communities. The people who live them and well. I the people who live them and well. Why have the people who live them and well. Why have you the people who live them and well. Why have you had the people who live them and well. Why have you had to the people who live them and well. Why have you had to do the people who live them and well. Why have you had to do it . Why have you had to do it . Reductions in government grants, in 2013 a reductions in government grants, in 2013 a Revenue Reductions in government grants, in 2013 a Revenue Support reductions in government grants, in 2013 a Revenue Support Grant reductions in government grants, in 2013 a Revenue Support Grant was i reductions in government grants, in| 2013 a Revenue Support Grant was 127 million 2013 a Revenue Support Grant was 127 Million Pounds 2013 a Revenue Support Grant was 127 Million Pounds from 2013 a Revenue Support Grant was 127 Million Pounds from government 2013 a Revenue Support Grant was 127 Million Pounds from government andj Million Pounds from government and this year Million Pounds from government and this year is Million Pounds from government and this year is £32 Million Pounds from government and this year is £32 million. Million pounds from government and this year is £32 million. At Million Pounds from government and this year is £32 million. At the this year is £32 million. At the same this year is £32 million. At the same time this year is £32 million. At the same time the this year is £32 million. At the same time the cost this year is £32 million. At the same time the cost of this year is £32 million. At the same time the cost of care this year is £32 million. At the same time the cost of care forj same time the cost of care for vulnerable same time the cost of care for Vulnerable Children same time the cost of care for Vulnerable Children and same time the cost of care for Vulnerable Children and vulnerable adults Vulnerable Children and vulnerable adults as Vulnerable Children and vulnerable adults as well Vulnerable Children and vulnerable adults as well as Vulnerable Children and vulnerable adults as well as an Vulnerable Children and vulnerable adults as well as an increase Vulnerable Children and vulnerable adults as well as an increase in Vulnerable Children and vulnerable| adults as well as an increase in the demands adults as well as an increase in the demands for adults as well as an increase in the demands for Homelessness Adults as well as an increase in the. Demands for Homelessness Provision on top demands for Homelessness Provision on top of demands for Homelessness Provision on top of a demands for Homelessness Provision on top of a background demands for Homelessness Provision on top of a background of demands for Homelessness Provision on top of a background of a demands for Homelessness Provision on top of a background of a huge on top of a background of a huge inflation on top of a background of a huge Inflation Rate on top of a background of a huge Inflation Rate over on top of a background of a huge Inflation Rate over the on top of a background of a huge Inflation Rate over the last on top of a background of a huge Inflation Rate over the last 12 Inflation Rate over the last 12 months Inflation Rate over the last 12 months has Inflation Rate over the last 12 months has enabled Inflation Rate over the last 12 months has enabled us Inflation Rate over the last 12 months has enabled us or. Inflation rate over the last 12. Months has enabled us or stop Inflation Rate over the last 12 months has enabled us or stop this being months has enabled us or stop this being able months has enabled us or stop this being able to months has enabled us or stop this being able to do months has enabled us or stop this being able to do the months has enabled us or stop this being able to do the things months has enabled us or stop this being able to do the things we being able to do the things we normally being able to do the things we normally do being able to do the things we normally do within being able to do the things we normally do within the being able to do the things we normally do within the budget| being able to do the things we normally do within the budget and therefore normally do within the budget and therefore we normally do within the budget and therefore we have normally do within the budget and therefore we have to normally do within the budget and therefore we have to take normally do within the budget and therefore we have to take these. Normally do within the budget and i therefore we have to take these cuts because therefore we have to take these cuts because the therefore we have to take these cuts because the government therefore we have to take these cuts because the government expected. Therefore we have to take these cutsl because the government expected us to do more because the government expected us to do more for because the government expected us to do more for less because the government expected us to do more for less and because the government expected us to do more for less and thats to do more for less and thats impossible to do more for less and thats impossible to do more for less and thats imossible. ,. ,. , impossible. Taking one of those examples. Impossible. Taking one of those examples, homelessness, impossible. Taking one of those examples, homelessness, howl impossible. Taking one of those examples, homelessness, how much money would be on average in a year spend on that issue . I money would be on average in a year spend on that issue . Spend on that issue . I havent got those figures spend on that issue . I havent got those figures to spend on that issue . I havent got those figures to my spend on that issue . I havent got those figures to my fingertips spend on that issue . I havent got those figures to my fingertips but | those figures to my fingertips but its gone those figures to my fingertips but its gone from those figures to my fingertips but its gone from a those figures to my fingertips but its gone from a couple those figures to my fingertips but its gone from a couple of those figures to my fingertips but its gone from a couple of million| those figures to my fingertips but| its gone from a couple of million i think its gone from a couple of million i think to its gone from a couple of million i think to in its gone from a couple of million i think to in excess its gone from a couple of million i think to in excess of its gone from a couple of million i think to in excess of five. Its gone from a couple of million i think to in excess of five. Some i its gone from a couple of million i think to in excess of five. Some ofj think to in excess of five. Some of that involves think to in excess of five. Some of that involves applying think to in excess of five. Some of that involves applying to think to in excess of five. Some of. That involves applying to government for grants that involves applying to government for grants but that involves applying to government for grants but the that involves applying to government for grants but the numbers that involves applying to government for grants but the numbers of that involves applying to government for grants but the numbers of peoplej for grants but the numbers of people whose for grants but the numbers of people whose landlords for grants but the numbers of people whose landlords have for grants but the numbers of people whose landlords have gone for grants but the numbers of people whose landlords have gone out for grants but the numbers of people whose landlords have gone out of for grants but the numbers of people| whose landlords have gone out of the business whose landlords have gone out of the business because whose landlords have gone out of the business because of whose landlords have gone out of the business because of mortgage whose landlords have gone out of the business because of Mortgage Rates. Business because of Mortgage Rates being business because of Mortgage Rates being high business because of Mortgage Rates being high or business because of Mortgage Rates being high orthe business because of Mortgage Rates being high orthe number business because of Mortgage Rates being high or the number of business because of Mortgage Rates being high or the number of people| being high or the number of people because being high or the number of people because of being high or the number of people because of the being high or the number of people because of the cost being high or the number of people because of the cost of being high or the number of people because of the cost of living being high or the number of people because of the cost of living crisis i because of the cost of living crisis are finding because of the cost of living crisis are finding themselves because of the cost of living crisis are finding themselves in because of the cost of living crisis are finding themselves in dire are finding themselves in dire straits are finding themselves in dire straits that are finding themselves in dire straits that are are finding themselves in dire straits that are coming are finding themselves in dire straits that are coming to are finding themselves in dire straits that are coming to us i are finding themselves in dire i straits that are coming to us is becoming straits that are coming to us is becoming an straits that are coming to us is becoming an increasing straits that are coming to us isl becoming an increasing amount straits that are coming to us is becoming an increasing amount of the budget becoming an increasing amount of the budget and becoming an increasing amount of the budget and certainly becoming an increasing amount of the budget and certainly we becoming an increasing amount of the budget and certainly we are becoming an increasing amount of the budget and certainly we are spending i budget and certainly we are spending more than budget and certainly we are spending more than is budget and certainly we are spending more than is allocated budget and certainly we are spending more than is allocated for budget and certainly we are spending more than is allocated for that. Budget and certainly we are spending more than is allocated for that. Do i more than is allocated for that. Do ou more than is allocated for that. You accept that the council has managed all of its many perfectly or could you have done more . They have been some issues with your council over certain things like investing in electricity companies. Do you believe you have managed all of the money that you get from council tax and Central Government perfectly . No. We have been open about mistakes that have no. We have been open about mistakes that have been no. We have been open about mistakes that have been made. No. We have been open about mistakes that have been made. I no. We have been open about mistakes that have been made. I dont no. We have been open about mistakes that have been made. I dont think that have been made. I dont think any counsel that have been made. I dont think any counsel is that have been made. I dont think any counsel is perfect. That have been made. I dont think any counsel is perfect. The that have been made. I dont think any counsel is perfect. The money| any counsel is perfect. The money that was any counsel is perfect. The money that was lost any counsel is perfect. The money that was lost through any counsel is perfect. The money that was lost through the any counsel is perfect. The money that was lost through the energy. That was lost through the Energy Companies that was lost through the Energy Companies is that was lost through the Energy Companies is completely that was lost through the energyl companies is completely dwarfed that was lost through the Energy Companies is completely dwarfed by the Amount Companies is completely dwarfed by the amount of companies is completely dwarfed by the amount of Money Companies is completely dwarfed by the amount of money the companies is completely dwarfed by l the amount of money the government is taking the amount of money the government is taking awav the amount of money the government is taking awav and the amount of money the government is taking away. And that the amount of money the government is taking away. And that was the amount of money the government is taking away. And that was a is taking away. And that was a oneoff is taking away. And that was a one off implication is taking away. And that was a one off implication on is taking away. And that was a one off implication on our is taking away. And that was a one off implication on our budget. We closed one off implication on our budget. We closed that one off implication on our budget. We closed that company one off implication on our budget. We closed that company in one off implication on our budget. We closed that company in 2020. I one off implication on our budget. I we closed that company in 2020. But each year we closed that company in 2020. But each year the we closed that company in 2020. But each year the government we closed that company in 2020. But each year the government is we closed that company in 2020. But each year the government is giving i each year the government is giving us three each year the government is giving us three times each year the government is giving us three times the each year the government is giving us three times the amount each year the government is giving us three times the amount we each year the government is giving us three times the amount we lost| each year the government is giving i us three times the amount we lost on that company us three times the amount we lost on that company lessen us three times the amount we lost on that company lessen our us three times the amount we lost on that company lessen our budgets us three times the amount we lost on that company lessen our budgets and j that company lessen our budgets and so we that company lessen our budgets and so we are that company lessen our budgets and so we are not that company lessen our budgets and so we are not perfect. That company lessen our budgets and so we are not perfect. The that company lessen our budgets and so we are not perfect. The main so we are not perfect. The main reason so we are not perfect. The main reason for so we are not perfect. The main reason for this so we are not perfect. The main reason for this is so we are not perfect. The main reason for this is the so we are not perfect. The main. Reason for this is the government so we are not perfect. The main reason for this is the government is under reason for this is the government is under funding reason for this is the government is underfunding and reason for this is the government is under funding and the reason for this is the government is under funding and the governments failure under funding and the governments failure to under funding and the governments failure to complete under funding and the governments failure to complete its under funding and the governments failure to complete its promise under funding and the governments failure to complete its promise to l failure to complete its promise to sort out failure to complete its promise to sort out the failure to complete its promise to sort out the care failure to complete its promise to sort out the care system. Failure to complete its promise to sort out the care system. Your. Sort out the care system. Your viewers sort out the care system. Your viewers will sort out the care system. Your viewers will remember sort out the care system. Your viewers will remember boris. Sort out the care system. Your viewers will remember Boris Johnson standing viewers will remember Boris Johnson standing on viewers will remember Boris Johnson standing on the viewers will remember Boris Johnson standing on the steps viewers will remember Boris Johnson standing on the steps of viewers will remember Boris Johnson standing on the steps of downing standing on the steps of Downing Street standing on the steps of Downing Street and standing on the steps of Downing Street and saying standing on the steps of Downing Street and saying im standing on the steps of Downing Street and saying im going standing on the steps of Downing Street and saying im going to. Standing on the steps of downing. Street and saying im going to sort out the street and saying im going to sort out the care street and saying im going to sort out the care system street and saying im going to sort out the care system and street and saying im going to sort out the care system and others street and saying im going to sort. Out the care system and others who have led out the care system and others who have led the out the care system and others who have led the party out the care system and others who have led the party of out the care system and others who have led the party of said out the care system and others who have led the party of said similar. Have led the party of said similar things have led the party of said similar things but have led the party of said similar things but it have led the party of said similar things but it hasnt have led the party of said similar things but it hasnt been have led the party of said similar things but it hasnt been done. L have led the party of said Similarj Things but it hasnt been done. It is a broken things but it hasnt been done. It is a broken system things but it hasnt been done. It is a broken system and things but it hasnt been done. It is a broken system and councils. Things but it hasnt been done. It. Is a broken system and councils are paying is a broken system and councils are paying the is a broken system and councils are paying the price is a broken system and councils are paying the price for is a broken system and councils are paying the price for it. Is a broken system and councils are paying the price for it. What is a broken system and councils are paying the price for it. Paying the price for it. What in our paying the price for it. What in your mind paying the price for it. What in your mind is paying the price for it. What in your mind is the paying the price for it. What in your mind is the answer paying the price for it. What in your mind is the answer to paying the price for it. What in your mind is the answer to it . | paying the price for it. What in your mind is the answer to it . Most of our children your mind is the answer to it . Most of our children in your mind is the answer to it . Most of our children in care, your mind is the answer to it . Most of our children in care, we your mind is the answer to it . Most of our children in care, we have 680 children of our children in care, we have 680 children in of our children in care, we have 680 children in care of our children in care, we have 680 children in care and of our children in care, we have 680 children in care and its of our children in care, we have 680 children in care and its been children in care and its been difficult children in care and its been difficult to children in care and its been difficult to recruit children in care and its been difficult to recruit Foster Children In Care and its been. Difficult to recruit Foster Carers and there difficult to recruit Foster Carers and there are difficult to recruit Foster Carers and there are some difficult to recruit Foster Carers and there are some young difficult to recruit Foster Carers i and there are some young people difficult to recruit Foster Carers and there are some young people who have been and there are some young people who have been so and there are some young people who have been so damaged and there are some young people who have been so damaged or and there are some young people who have been so damaged or have and there are some young people who have been so damaged or have had i and there are some young people who have been so damaged or have had soj have been so damaged or have had so much have been so damaged or have had so much trauma have been so damaged or have had so much trauma in have been so damaged or have had so much trauma in their have been so damaged or have had so much trauma in their lives have been so damaged or have had so much trauma in their lives that have been so damaged or have had so much trauma in their lives that they. Much trauma in their lives that they have to much trauma in their lives that they have to have much trauma in their lives that they have to have therapeutic much trauma in their lives that theyl have to have therapeutic placements which have to have therapeutic placements which are have to have therapeutic placements which are outside have to have therapeutic placements which are outside of have to have therapeutic placements which are outside of our have to have therapeutic placements which are outside of our council which are outside of our council area which are outside of our council area and which are outside of our council area and many which are outside of our council area and many of which are outside of our council area and many of them which are outside of our council area and many of them cost which are outside of our council area and many of them cost thousands of pounds area and many of them cost thousands of pounds a area and many of them cost thousands of pounds a week area and many of them cost thousands of pounds a week. Our area and many of them cost thousands of pounds a week. Our market area and many of them cost thousands of pounds a week. Our market is area and many of them cost thousands of pounds a week. Our market is not. Of pounds a week. Our market is not relegated of pounds a week. Our market is not relegated there of pounds a week. Our market is not relegated. There are of pounds a week. Our market is not relegated. There are few of pounds a week. Our market is not relegated. There are few people of pounds a week. Our market is not| relegated. There are few people who provide relegated. There are few people who provide them relegated. There are few people who provide them on relegated. There are few people who provide them on they relegated. There are few people who provide them on they charge relegated. There are few people who provide them on they charge what i provide them on they charge what they like provide them on they charge what they like and provide them on they charge what they like and are provide them on they charge what they like and are making provide them on they charge what they like and are making profit provide them on they charge what they like and are making profit on| they like and are making profit on vulnerable they like and are making profit on Vulnerable Children. They like and are making profit on Vulnerable Children. That they like and are making profit on Vulnerable Children. That is Vulnerable Children. That is appalling Vulnerable Children. That is appalling its Vulnerable Children. That is appalling. Its immoral Vulnerable Children. That is appalling. Its immoralandj Vulnerable Children. That is. Appalling. Its immoraland it Vulnerable Children. That is appalling. Its immoral and it needs to be appalling. Its immoral and it needs to be related appalling. Its immoral and it needs to be related. Isillie appalling. Its immoral and it needs to be related appalling. Its immoral and it needs to be related. We are keeping an eye on the birmingham to be related. We are keeping an eye on the Birmingham City to be related. We are keeping an eye on the Birmingham City council on the Birmingham City council picture and i can show you the live picture and i can show you the live picture from the Council Chamber. A lot of the council are speaking at that meeting and we will go back to it when we head towards that vote they are going to take on those savings of £300 million in birmingham, a lot less or more than what david was talking about in nottingham. I want to bring sean davis from the local Government Association back into the conversation. How much is this political in terms of we have a General Election coming and Central Government dont like to say we are going to put council tax, we are going to put council tax, we are going to put many up and you are going to put many up and you are going to put many up and you are going to have to pay for it . Council taxes going going to have to pay for it . Council taxes going op going to have to pay for it . Council taxes going up almost going to have to pay for it . Council taxes going up almost everywhere | going to have to pay for it . Council. Taxes going up almost everywhere in the country. We are seeing councils approaching the government for support approaching the government for support. Its not Party Political from support. Its not Party Political from a support. Its not Party Political from a local government perspective. At what from a local government perspective. At what we from a local government perspective. At what we are seeing is a short term at what we are seeing is a short term is at what we are seeing is a short term is taking hold of decision making. We do Need Certainty decision making. We do Need Certainty on understanding where our budgets certainty on understanding where our budgets will be as a council in a year budgets will be as a council in a year or budgets will be as a council in a year or two budgets will be as a council in a year or two or three years time. We also need year or two or three years time. We also need to year or two or three years time. We also need to see fundamental Public Sector also need to see fundamental Public Sector reform across a number of fronts Sector Reform across a number of fronts if Sector Reform across a number of fronts if we Sector Reform across a number of fronts. If we were able to build more fronts. If we were able to build more houses than people would not be in temporary accommodation with private in temporary accommodation with private landlords and council picking private landlords and council picking up the bill for that. If we had funding for social care that would had funding for social care that would save money in the nhs. If we could would save money in the nhs. If we could get would save money in the nhs. If we could get the backlog down. Special Educational Needs it would free up school Educational Needs it would free up school resources. This isnt difficult, school resources. This isnt difficult, there are Solutions Available but it does require a new relationship between local government and Central Government to see this government and Central Government to see this. They are not bothered about see this. They are not bothered about local government and Central Government, what they wanted to see things government, what they wanted to see things working and we have to get this country working again. Is things working and we have to get this country working again. This country working again. Is that auoin to this country working again. Is that going to happen . This country working again. Is that going to happen . The this country working again. Is that going to happen . The way this country working again. Is that going to happen . The way party i going to happen . The way Party Politics works is the government could change every five years, is there the impetus for Central Government to sit down and work this out . ,. ,. , government to sit down and work this out . ,. ,. , out . Councils trade political control of out . Councils trade political control of the out . Councils trade political control of the time. Out . Councils trade political control of the time. You out . Councils trade political. Control of the time. You have out . Councils trade political control of the time. You have to sometimes control of the time. You have to sometimes ride above the Party Politics sometimes ride above the Party Politics and what we are seeing here is the politics and what we are seeing here is the most politics and what we are seeing here is the most Vulnerable Children in our communities, the most vulnerable adults our communities, the most vulnerable adults and our communities, the most vulnerable adults and thats Above And Beyond party adults and thats Above And Beyond Party Politics. We need to see this as a issue Party Politics. We need to see this as a issue for the country to resolve as a issue for the country to resolve and if we can deal with that and fix resolve and if we can deal with that and fix this resolve and if we can deal with that and fix this it would be good for our residents and citizens who rely on those our residents and citizens who rely on those services but it will also be good on those services but it will also be good for the public finances. There be good for the public finances. There is be good for the public finances. There is so be good for the public finances. There is so much money thats being spent there is so much money thats being spent in there is so much money thats being spent in the there is so much money thats being spent in the wrong areas, so much money spent in the wrong areas, so much money that spent in the wrong areas, so much money that could be diverted to better money that could be diverted to better and positive outcomes and what better and positive outcomes and what we better and positive outcomes and what we need to do is see the plan for local what we need to do is see the plan for local government work alongside Central For Local Government work alongside Central Government to get this country Central Government to get this country moving again. The same ruestion country moving again. The same question to country moving again. The same question to you country moving again. The same question to you david, country moving again. The same question to you david, do country moving again. The same question to you david, do you i country moving again. The same. Question to you david, do you see this happening and actually being able to do that with Central Government and local government Work Together to fix these issues . That would be the together to fix these issues . That would be the ideal together to fix these issues . That would be the ideal thing and i do believe would be the ideal thing and i do believe and would be the ideal thing and i do believe and that would be the ideal thing and i do believe and that the would be the ideal thing and i do believe and that the last would be the ideal thing and i do believe and that the last labourl believe and that the last Labour Government believe and that the last Labour Government there believe and that the last Labour Government there was believe and that the last Labour Government there was far believe and that the last Labour Government there was far morel government there was far more cooperation government there was far more coorweration and government there was far more cooperation and we government there was far more cooperation and we were government there was far more cooperation and we were able l government there was far morel cooperation and we were able to government there was far more cooperation and we were able to do things cooperation and we were able to do things together cooperation and we were able to do things together to cooperation and we were able to do things together to provide cooperation and we were able to do things together to provide the cooperation and we were able to do things together to provide the kind| things together to provide the kind of help things together to provide the kind of help for things together to provide the kind of help for families. Things together to provide the kind of help for families. But things together to provide the kind of help for families. But that of help for families. But that doesnt of help for families. But that doesnt happen of help for families. But that doesnt happen so of help for families. But that doesnt happen so much of help for families. But that i doesnt happen so much these of help for families. But that doesnt happen so much these days. There doesnt happen so much these days. There is doesnt happen so much these days. There is too doesnt happen so much these days. There is too much, doesnt happen so much these days. There is too much, in doesnt happen so much these days. There is too much, in order doesnt happen so much these days. There is too much, in order to doesnt happen so much these days. There is too much, in order to bid i there is too much, in order to bid for money there is too much, in order to bid for money where there is too much, in order to bid for money where there there is too much, in order to bid for money where there are there is too much, in order to bid. For money where there are winners and losers for money where there are winners and losers rather for money where there are winners and losers rather than for money where there are winners and losers rather than the for money where there are winners and losers rather than the basic and losers rather than the basic needs and losers rather than the basic needs of and losers rather than the basic needs of councils and losers rather than the basic needs of councils being and losers rather than the basic needs of councils being met, i. And losers rather than the basic. Needs of councils being met, i also think needs of councils being met, i also Think Deprivation needs of councils being met, i also Think Deprivation is needs of councils being met, i also Think Deprivation is an needs of councils being met, i also Think Deprivation is an featuring. Think deprivation is an featuring hih Think Deprivation is an featuring high enough Think Deprivation is an featuring high enough in Think Deprivation is an featuring high enough in the Think Deprivation is an featuring high enough in the formula Think Deprivation is an featuring high enough in the formula for. Think deprivation is an featuring. High enough in the formula for how countil high enough in the formula for how Council Money high enough in the formula for how council Money Council high enough in the formula for how Council Money Council Grants high enough in the formula for how Council Money Council Grants are i Council Money Council Grants are distributed Council Money Council Grants are distributed and Council Money Council Grants are distributed and i Council Money Council Grants are distributed and i think Council Money Council Grants are distributed and i think if Council Money Council Grants are distributed and i think if that Council Money Council Grants are | distributed and i think if that was introduced distributed and i think if that was introduced more distributed and i think if that was introduced more the distributed and i think if that was introduced more the more distributed and i think if that was| introduced more the more money distributed and i think if that was introduced more the more money going to the introduced more the more money going to the right introduced more the more money going to the right places introduced more the more money going to the right places. [ introduced more the more money going to the right places. [just introduced more the more money going to the right places. To the right places. I ust want to ask one final h to the right places. Ijust want to ask one final question, to the right places. Ijust want to ask one final question, how to the right places. Ijust want to | ask one final question, how many more councils do you think will have the same issues that nottingham and birmingham have had . The the same issues that nottingham and birmingham have had . Birmingham have had . The 19 that have Ust Birmingham have had . The 19 that have just been birmingham have had . The 19 that have just been granted birmingham have had . The 19 that| have just been granted exceptional financial have just been granted exceptional Financial Support, that ought some time for Financial Support, that ought some time for those councils but im aware time for those councils but im aware of time for those councils but im aware of a time for those councils but im aware of a number of councils right across aware of a number of councils right across the aware of a number of councils right across the country of all political persuasions that are up against it. They persuasions that are up against it. They have persuasions that are up against it. They have set budgets this year predicated on significant savings or cuts in predicated on significant savings or cuts in their budgets and if they dont cuts in their budgets and if they dont maintain those cuts cost savings dont maintain those cuts cost savings and they dont manage the increasing savings and they dont manage the increasing amount they will be in the same increasing amount they will be in the same situation, knocking on the door of the same situation, knocking on the door of the the same situation, knocking on the door of the government for support or if not door of the government for support or if not issuing the 114 this is unprecedented. Before the last two or three unprecedented. Before the last two or three years it was unheard of for a council or three years it was unheard of for a council to or three years it was unheard of for a council to go bankrupt. We are now having a council to go bankrupt. We are now having almost a council on a month going having almost a council on a month going into having almost a council on a month going into bankruptcy. We need a longterm going into bankruptcy. We need a long Term Solution moving beyond the sticking long Term Solution moving beyond the sticking plaster approach. And longTerm Solution moving beyond the sticking plaster approach. Sticking plaster approach. And are ou sticking plaster approach. And are you optimistic sticking plaster approach. And are you optimistic thats sticking plaster approach. And are you optimistic thats going sticking plaster approach. And are you optimistic thats going to you optimistic thats going to happen . You optimistic thats going to haen . You optimistic thats going to ha en . , you optimistic thats going to ha. En . ,. ,. You optimistic thats going to hauen . ,. ,. , happen . The very fact we are on your news channel happen . The very fact we are on your news channel now happen . The very fact we are on your news channel now and happen . The very fact we are on your news channel now and the happen . The very fact we are on your news channel now and the fact happen . The very fact we are on your news channel now and the fact that l news channel now and the fact that council news channel now and the fact that Council Finances are being talked about Council Finances are being talked about so Council Finances are being talked about so openly increases the importance of the debate. I have to say the importance of the debate. I have to say the politicians nationally, these say the politicians nationally, these are the services that you are judged these are the services that you are judged against. If Communities Cannot judged against. If Communities Cannot Access Services it will be the government of the day that gets the government of the day that gets the blame the government of the day that gets the blame and if places of downtrodden and untidy its National Politician downtrodden and untidy its National Politician to get the blame and equally politician to get the blame and equally if councils can move beyond this firefighting and providing service this firefighting and providing service on a day to day basis councils service on a day to day basis councils can get the Economy Growing which councils can get the Economy Growing which will councils can get the Economy Growing which will help both the Political Parties which will help both the Political Parties get the National Economy growing. Parties get the National Economy growing, we can get House Building growing growing, we can get House Building growing fixing of the nhs, there are so many growing fixing of the nhs, there are so many things we can do if we are given so many things we can do if we are Given Support. fire so many things we can do if we are Given Support Given Support. Are you optimistic david . If things Given Support. Are you optimistic david . If things dont Given Support. Are you optimistic david . If things dont change Given Support. Are you optimistic| david . If things dont change then Given Support. Are you optimistic i david . If things dont change then i think there is david . If things dont change then i think there is a david . If things dont change then i think there is a bad david . If things dont change then i think there is a bad path david . If things dont change then i think there is a bad path for david . If things dont change then i think there is a bad path for local. Think there is a bad path for local councils think there is a bad path for local councils going think there is a bad path for local councils going forward. Think there is a bad path for local councils going forward. But think there is a bad path for local councils going forward. But i think there is a bad path for local councils going forward. But i aml councils going forward. But i am hopeful. Councils going forward. But i am hopeful. The councils going forward. But i am hopeful, the biggest councils going forward. But i am hopeful, the biggest change councils going forward. But i am hopeful, the biggest change we| councils going forward. But i am hopeful, the biggest change we need is to have hopeful, the biggest change we need is to have a hopeful, the biggest change we need is to have a change hopeful, the biggest change we need is to have a change of hopeful, the biggest change we need is to have a change of government i is to have a change of government and i is to have a change of government and i would is to have a change of government and i would encourage is to have a change of government and i would encourage anybody i is to have a change of government. And i would encourage anybody who is to have a change of government and i would encourage anybody who is involved and i would encourage anybody who is involved in and i would encourage anybody who is involved in this and i would encourage anybody who is involved in this to and i would encourage anybody who is involved in this to call and i would encourage anybody who is involved in this to call a and i would encourage anybody who is involved in this to call a general involved in this to call a General Election involved in this to call a General Election as involved in this to call a General Election as soon involved in this to call a General Election as soon as involved in this to call a General Election as soon as we involved in this to call a General Election as soon as we can. Involved in this to call a General Election as soon as we can. Thank ou both election as soon as we can. Thank you both for election as soon as we can. Thank you both for discussing election as soon as we can. Thank you both for discussing this election as soon as we can. Thank you both for discussing this really | you both for discussing this really important issue with me today. So those are the politicians but it also is going to hit real people. Ciaran thompson is the founder of the Helping Kids Achieve Youth Club and ball well. What is the impact of these cuts going to mean to your youth club . Its these cuts going to mean to your youth club . Youth club . Its going to have a massive impact youth club . Its going to have a massive impact on youth club . Its going to have a massive impact on our youth club . Its going to have a massive impact on our young. Youth club . Its going to have a massive impact on our young people in the community. We serve young people in the most deprived areas of nottingham. What these cuts mean is that young people would have their safe environment, they wont have positive role models, they wont have any access to positive role models. You will see a rise in knife crime and anti social behaviour. A rise in young people being groomed and exploited. They wont have these positive role models to shield them. It will have a massive impact. Just exlain it will have a massive impact. Just exolain what it will have a massive impact. Just explain what work you do in the community. L explain what work you do in the community explain what work you do in the communi. , community. I support young people throuuh community. I support young people through mentoring community. I support young people through mentoring and community. I support young people through mentoring and sports community. I support young people through mentoring and sports and i through mentoring and sports and education. We get young people were on the verge of getting involved in Criminal Behaviour or on the verge of going into care so we work with young people and saving them from getting involved in all sorts of things that they dont want to get involved in. Things that they dont want to get involved im things that they dont want to get involved in. ~. ,. , i. ,. ,. , involved in. Who do you blame for the mess the involved in. Who do you blame for the mess the council involved in. Who do you blame for the mess the council is involved in. Who do you blame for the mess the council is in . Involved in. Who do you blame for the mess the council is in . There | the mess the council is in . There are two people the mess the council is in . There are two people to the mess the council is in . There are two people to blame the mess the council is in . There are two people to blame here. I the mess the council is in . There | are two people to blame here. Its the local council for mismanaging the local council for mismanaging the funding and then its the Central Government that havent given a sign of support to our local councils. �. Given a sign of support to our local councils. ,. , given a sign of support to our local councils. , i. ,. Councils. And are you optimistic that ou councils. And are you optimistic that you are councils. And are you optimistic that you are going councils. And are you optimistic that you are going to councils. And are you optimistic that you are going to be councils. And are you optimistic that you are going to be able i councils. And are you optimistic that you are going to be able to l that you are going to be able to survive these cuts . Its that you are going to be able to survive these cuts . That you are going to be able to survive these cuts . Its going to be had. We survive these cuts . Its going to be had we rely survive these cuts . Its going to be had. We rely heavily survive these cuts . Its going to be had. We rely heavily on survive these cuts . Its going to be had. We rely heavily on funding survive these cuts . Its going to be had. We rely heavily on funding to | had. We rely heavily on funding to support our work in the community. That funding was used to fund three sessions in the community and with that gone we dont have anything. We have centres and safe spaces being closed so we can physically deliver because we wont have anywhere to deliver from. Because we wont have anywhere to deliverfrom. So because we wont have anywhere to deliver from. So we because we wont have anywhere to deliverfrom. So we really because we wont have anywhere to deliver from. So we really need the local councillors to be pushing the government to say this isnt acceptable. We really need this to happen otherwise we are going to see a rise in all the things ijust stated. There are over 600 young people that are in the care system and all these Youth Centres Closing means we are going to see a drastic rise in that is in the long run its going to cost the taxpayers and the government even more. There really needs to be some pushback on this. What would your message be . You mentioned you want what you want local councillors to do but what is your message to the government . You need to your message to the government . Gm. Need to really think carefully about what the implications are on the people and the young people and the families in these communities because we are in one of the most deprived cities in the uk and so its going to have a massive impact with all these kits happening. They really need to think carefully and im hoping that they think twice about the cuts they make. You deal with these young about the cuts they make. You deal with these young people. About the cuts they make. You deal with these young people. What about the cuts they make. You deal with these young people. What will| with these young people. What will happen to them if you dont get the money . If happen to them if you dont get the mone . , �. , happen to them if you dont get the mone . ,. , money . If we dont have access to these funds money . If we dont have access to these funds you money . If we dont have access to these funds you are money . If we dont have access to these funds you are going money . If we dont have access to these funds you are going to money . If we dont have access to these funds you are going to see l these funds you are going to see young people getting involved in criminal activity, you are going to see young people being exploited, you are going to see Young Peoples Mental Health decrease. Its going to have wider implications for people in the community. A lot of young people come to us for a safe space, young people come to us because maybe their home situation isnt the greatest and so it gives families that respite. They come to us and we can give them free food and they can do activities they want to do and aspire to be much more than they were told. Our services, young people wont have access to all of that and its going to have a devastating impact on future generations. D0 devastating impact on future generations. Devastating impact on future generations. Devastating impact on future renerations. ,. , generations. Do you have any other forms of income . Generations. Do you have any other forms of income . Can generations. Do you have any other forms of income . Can you generations. Do you have any other forms of income . Can you get forms of income . Can you get sponsorship or go to private companies to see if they will give you money . Companies to see if they will give you money . Companies to see if they will give ou mone . ,. , you money . These are the things we are lookin you money . These are the things we are looking at you money . These are the things we are looking at. We you money . These are the things we are looking at. We are you money . These are the things we are looking at. We are looking you money . These are the things we are looking at. We are looking at are looking at. We are looking at Getting National lottery grants, crowdfunding, but a lot of these things arent guaranteed. They are not always guaranteed to get National Lottery grants. We will put one in but will down the line they might tell you you are not successful. So its really hard to rely on lottery bids. Its more organisations that havent always got the resources or people in the background to support, they cant always reach out to corporate organisations to sponsor. So it is really hard because we rely heavily on these grants which we rely on to keep it ticking over yourfear. When they are gone its going to increase they are gone its going to increase the pressure on us to deliver and support our young people. Ciaran thompson. Support our young people. Ciaran thompson, thank support our young people. Ciaran thompson, thank you support our young people. Ciaran thompson, thank you very support our young people. Ciaran thompson, thank you very much | support our young people. Ciaran i thompson, thank you very much for joining us. I want to take you back to Birmingham City Council Chamber and the scene there. Councillors are debating, lets listen in for a little bit. ,. , little bit. The Pay Policy Statement must cover little bit. The Pay Policy Statement must cover information little bit. The Pay Policy Statement must cover information such little bit. The Pay Policy Statement must cover information such as i little bit. The Pay Policy Statement l must cover information such as ratio of highest must cover information such as ratio of highest played pollies against the workforce median earnings. The methods the workforce median earnings. The methods by which all Employee Salaries methods by which all Employee Salaries are determined and how the statement salaries are determined and how the statement is complied with. The 2023 to 2024 statement is complied with. The 2023 to 2024 Point Policy Statement has now been to 2024 Point Policy Statement has now been produced and provides transparency in line with the legislative requirements. The report was presented to cabinet on the 27th Of February was presented to cabinet on the 27th Of February when it was agreed to come of february when it was agreed to come forward to full council to recommend that the Pe Policy Statement 2023 to 2024 is approved for publication. By endorsing the statement the city Council Reaffirms its commitment to the accountability and transparency in its enumeration practices, and transparency in its enumeration practices, thereby fulfilling its statutory obligations. Thank you. Could any member wishing to speak please press the button . No . I call for the reply. Please press the button . No . I call for the reply for the reply. That is councillors in birmingham. For the reply. That is councillors in birmingham. They for the reply. That is councillors in birmingham. They are for the reply. That is councillors i in birmingham. They are expected shortly to approve swingeing cuts to their local services as they look to save, as weve been discussing, £300 million. Europes largest Local Authority declared itself effectively bankrupt and is trying to make those cuts. Up to 600 counciljobs could go, and as we heard earlier in the programme, the likes of libraries, parks and cultural projects are all due to be affected. The council tax will rise by 21 over two years, so it is a big amount of money we are talking about, £300 million in cuts. The counsellors there are expected to approve that because they are in