Campaigners claiming local funding has been scrubbed from the election agenda by the main political parties are hoping protests will force leaders to address the issue ahead of the final General Election debate this evening.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will clash in Nottingham for the final TV debate before polling day on July 4.
Campaign group Resolve rallied the city’s anti-cuts demonstrators to the Brian Clough Statue at Old Market Square this morning to spread its message.
“We’ve seen almost no talk of the council budgets crisis during this election cycle, nobody seems to have a plan” says Adam Pickering, Facilitator at Resolve.
Campaign group Resolve rallied the city’s anti-cuts demonstrators to the Brian Clough Statue at Old Market Square this morning to spread its message
Chris Tregenza /Resolve
“The next Government must start placing citizens and local communities like Nottingham at the heart of finding solutions.
“Local people are already suffering from 14 years of cuts and the cost-of-living crisis, we can't take any more punishment,” Adam said.
“We need a system that provides us all the opportunity to have a say in matters that affect us and our environment, and that protects the most vulnerable in our society.”
In November 2023, Nottingham City Council declared itself effectively bankrupt when it submitted a Section 114 notice meaning that it could not balance its budget.
Protesters took to the streets of Nottingham
Chris Tregenza /Resolve
Since then, the council has announced cuts to local services including libraries and community protection, plus staff redundancies, citing reduced Government funding as a source of its woes.
The Local Government Association says funding for councils has been slashed by 27 per cent since 2010.
In February, Government commissioners were sent to Nottingham to run the council after a series of multi-million-pound failings including the misspending of funds and the collapse of publicly owned Robin Hood Energy.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service states the City Council currently faces a £172m budget gap for the next three years.
Resolve said: 'The next Government must start placing citizens and local communities like Nottingham at the heart of finding solutions'
Chris Tregenza /Resolve
The East Midlands council is just one of many struggling financially in recent years, including Birmingham.
Nottingham City Council has been approached for comment.
The BBC’s Prime Ministerial Debate broadcasts from Nottingham Trent University at 8.15pm tonight.
