Minister's response on council funding "disappointing" says Beith

9.30.00am GMT Mon 4th Jan 2010

Alan Beith and Jeff Reid are working together to get the best deal for Northumberland.

Sir Alan Beith MP has raised the issue of funding for Northumberland County Council with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Leader of the Council Jeff Reid said

"We have been working hard to ensure a smooth transition and the continuation of services but have still had to tackle issues like £4m uncollected council tax which should have been collected before the district and borough councils were dissolved, as well as the loss of interest on investments due to the economic crisis.

"Northumberland is neither entirely rural nor entirely urban and so often misses out on funding based on geographic classification.

"We get less than the national average for local authorities from central government and have a relatively small population which reduces income from council tax - but at the same time we have to look after a huge road network and the need to provide services across vast distances.

"Northumberland is unique and we are a special case. I am glad Sir Alan has raised this with Ministers and hope he will continue to do so."

Sir Alan Beith is the Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick upon Tweed, one of four parliamentary constituencies in Northumberland which covers around 1000 square miles. He said

"I am disappointed that the Minister is not coming to see for himself how difficult things are for Northumberland County Council, but I will continue to press for recognition of the unique issues affecting our area."