Last week, Darlington Borough Council announced a desperate suite of cuts, including closing the Library and selling off the Covered Market.  Next day, Mrs Bergg wrote in the Newton News, criticising Durham County Council for removing 29 streetlamps on the C35 road to Shildon.
We thank Mrs Bergg for her comments. DCC is consulting about the removal of lights along the C35, and residents are encouraged to respond. We have already received one well-argued objection, and have objections of our own to make.
VICTIMS OF TORY CUTS
DCC and DBC are victims of the same government cuts to local finance. The Tory/LibDem cuts have been tougher on the poor than the rich, on the north than the south . . . and toughest of all on Labour councils. A reasonable prediction is that, by 2020, DCC will have £300 million PER YEAR less to spend.
DCC is combatting these cuts in a number of ways.  ‘Backroom’ functions and managerial posts have been pared. 2,000 jobs have been lost.
DCC could, as some have suggested, have used its reserves (and £13.5 million has indeed been used this year to take the edge off some difficult changes) but – in the face of a £300 million budget shortfall EVERY YEAR – Council balances would not have lasted long if this had been our only strategy.
SEEKING SOLUTIONS
Instead, the Council is continuously exploring innovative solutions. DCC is using its reserves to fund invest-to-earn and spend-to-save projects (the change to LED lighting on housing estates is an example of the latter).
There is an emphasis on encouraging economic growth (of which Lumière is an example, earning last year nearly £6 million for the local tourist industry) – this is the long-term solution.
Where all else has failed, however, the Council has grasped the nettle, opted for responsible spending, and made cuts in such a way as to minimise the effect on the most vulnerable. Readers may wish to compare this to the government’s welfare reforms, which rather have targeted the weak.
PROTECTING AYCLIFFE
We face a Tory government in power in Westminster making horrendous cuts. Since 2013, as Newton Aycliffe councillors, we have managed to get the library moved not closed; we have retained the Customer Access Surgery; we are regenerating, not closing, the Leisure Centre; we have avoided any cuts to our Adult Day Care provision; we are on the verge of saving all three bridges in West Park; the Town Council’s intervention retained the lights along the A167; et al. Meanwhile last year alone DCC invested £313,000 in the town’s facilities and services through GAMP and the County Councillors’ Neighbourhood Budgets.
The Council is little more than half-way through the Tory cuts, and it is unrealistic to expect that somehow Newton Aycliffe can always be immune.
But readers can be sure that the County Council is doing all it can to minimise the impacts of those cuts on residents. That is one of the benefits of having a Labour-run Council.
County Councillors Eddy Adam, John D Clare, Mike Dixon, Joan Gray, Jed Hillary, Kate Hopper and Sarah Iveson