THE leader of a Tory-run district council has criticised the Government for “looking down its nose” at local councils.

Tendring Council leader Neil Stock hit out at the Government for slashing local government funding.

His comments came as the council’s cabinet recommended a 3.3 per cent increase in its share of council tax for 2017/8, bringing a Band D house’s annual bill from the district council to £157.64 – an increase of £5. This is in addition to the levies set by Essex County Council and the police and fire authorities.

The council has seen its annual budget slashed from almost £21million in 2012 to £13.6million for 2017/8 in the wake of Government cuts.

But Mr Stock criticised the Government for cutting its grant while failing to allow councils to raise their own cash.

He said: “If they want to cut the revenue support grant and say ‘We don’t want to support you anymore’ then that is fine, they should devolve all powers to us and allow us to run our local authority as we see fit.

“We can be judged by residents at the ballot box as to whether they agree with us or not every four years.”

He added: “It seems all Governments of all flavours seem to look down their nose at local government and see us as some sort of second class, inferior way of delivering services.

“Actually we are on the frontline doing stuff for residents.”

“The way that councils are funded through council tax is a ridiculous and crazy system – based on value of house in early 90s regardless of how wealthy or poor people are.

“This is not a bad budget, but we must recognise there are going to be some tough decisions to come.”

Carlo Guglielmi, cabinet member for finance, said the council’s finances will prove “very challenging” beyond 2017/18 and that there is a forecasted shortfall in the budget of £1.9million in 2018/19 and £1 5million in 2019/20.

The budget will be put before all councillors next month.