Lib Dems invest in new Budget, despite Government funding squeeze

In their first budget since winning majority control of Cambridgeshire County Council, the Liberal Democrats have set out major investment in road repairs, support for vulnerable families and action on climate, despite mounting financial pressure caused by lack of basic Government funding. 

While Labour follows the Conservatives in pushing the cost of social care, SEND, and road maintenance crises onto local councils, Lib Dems in Cambridgeshire have balanced the books and prioritised frontline services.

But against the odds, and after decades of managed decline by the Conservatives, the new budget includes an extra £40 million over the next two years to help tackle the road repair backlog, £2.7 million to protect holiday food support for families, and continued investment in community flood protection and renewable energy projects.

Lib Dems are also cracking down on utility companies that delay works and dig up newly repaired roads. After fining firms and developers more than £483,000 for slow repairs, they will introduce a lane rental scheme charging companies for every day they disrupt key routes. But without Westminster pulling its weight, Cambridgeshire will remain plagued by potholes, left by decades of underinvestment.

However, the council warns that Cambridgeshire remains significantly underfunded for its fast-growing population and is calling on the Government to urgently fix the funding crisis facing counties like ours. 

Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said:

“The Government is dumping the cost of national crises onto councils, while cutting the funding. Social care is at breaking point, SEND deficits are spiralling, our roads are crumbling, and counties like Cambridgeshire are being left to pick up the bill.

“Against the odds, Liberal Democrats are delivering. We’re investing an extra £40 million, and doing all we can to turn the tide on our crumbling roads, stepping in with £2.7 million so children don’t go hungry, and protecting vital services like SEND support through strong financial management, even as other councils edge towards bankruptcy.

“But we could do so much more if Westminster pulled its weight. Cambridgeshire deserves better from central Government. As a region we are growing fast, and significantly contributing to the wider UK economy, so we deserve fairer central funding. The Government, who are following the script from the chaos of the previous Conservative administration, must stop shortchanging our communities and fix the broken system before local government reaches a breaking point.”