By Phil Quiteill
COUNCILLOR Mark Fryer, supreme leader over North & West Kumbria, had a friendly ‘sit-down’ interview this week with the News & Scar.
Discussing Crumberland Council’s disastrous budget for next year, the Labour leader had this gem to offer readers of the Carlisle newspaper:
“But again, sort of variations in that because of rural settlement grant and you know, being taken away.
“So, we think that will a net of around, maybe £2 or £3 million or something like that.
“But uh we still have to make some significant savings.”
It’s worth re-reading again. It’s either a series of typos in the transcription or Cllr Fryer is barely making sense.
The newspaper’s Local ‘Shamocracy’ Reporter, who wrote the article, does not have a reputation for misquotes.
And can you believe that “communications” is first on the list of Cllr Fryer’s responsibilities as leader of the Council!
What is clear from the 1,000-word sob story is that Labour-mad Cumberland Council will have to make between £17 million and £21m of savings and cuts next year.
They’ll also jack up Council Tax by another 5% for “working people” across Carlisle, Allerdale and Copeland.
“It’s tough and it’s going to be tough despite the new Government,” said Cllr Fryer in one of his more lucid contributions.
(There was no word of what happened to an incoming Labour Government making all our local councils’ problems vanish with a shake of the magic money tree?)
Councillor Fryer and Labour neighbour, Councillor Barbara Cannon, are usually the first to run to the local media and shout when national Governments shortchange rural Councils like ours?
Not when it’s a Labour Government they don’t!
The two obedient party servants did not level a single word of criticism at the stingy new purse-holder now residing at Number 11 Downing Street.
Nor was there any detail about the massive National Insurance burden the Council will now have to fork out – all courtesy of “Rach in Customer Relations”.
“Every local authority in the country is facing very much the same challenges,” cooed Cllr Cannon, suddenly adopting a newfound tone of pragmatism.
Meanwhile, Cllr Fryer reverted to broken record mode; banging on about: “14 years of Tory austerity”.
Conveniently forgetting that his Comrades in Government could have undone some of the damage now they’re back in charge of the kitty.
And before you get the begging bowl out for Crumberland, the article below is what Guido Fawkes was reporting about the money situ at the council in November 2023.
thecumbriachronic.co.uk 
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