Hertfordshire: FURY AS COUNTY YET AGAIN SEES CASH GO TO OTHER PARTS OF UK

12.04.00pm GMT Fri 14th Dec 2007

Liberal Democrats have expressed renewed anger over the level of government funding for county council services at yesterday's key Policy and Resources Panel.

Chris White, Liberal Democrat Group Leader, said: 'The Labour Government clearly sees this county as a cash cow for other parts of the country. The increase in grant funding for Hertfordshire and similar counties in the greater south east is just 2%.

'This is supposed to cope with growing numbers of elderly and vulnerable people as well as other demands on council services.

'On top of that Labour has slashed road spending by £4.5 million: hands up everyone who thinks that our roads and pavements can cope with a cash cut of this order?' Chris added: 'What is really shocking is the fact that some counties are getting four or five times more: Dorset for some reason gets 11.8%, Derbyshire 10.2% and Lancashire 8.7%.

'As Hertfordshire commuters sit in traffic jams or stand on overcrowded trains they will no doubt be comforted in the knowledge that their long working hours are helping provide improved services elsewhere in the country.'