Devon Council protest rural grant cuts

The Government’s plan to ‘re-purpose’ the Rural Services Delivery Grant, aiming to direct funds to more deprived areas, has sparked outrage in Devon, with county leaders rallying against the proposed cuts.

This year, Devon received £10.1 million from the grant, the highest amount in the region. However, the county council has unanimously agreed to protest the changes, fearing a significant impact on vital services, especially in rural areas.

Conservative Councillor James McInnes made an emergency announcement at last Thursday’s Full Council meeting, urging the Government to increase the overall grant settlement for Devon to make up for the £10 million loss.

He emphasised the high costs of providing essential services in sparsely populated areas, such as transporting children to school, providing social care for elderly residents, and maintaining one of the country’s largest road networks.

McInnes argued that the Government, predominantly led by MPs from urban areas, failed to grasp the unique challenges faced by rural communities. He added that the rural deprivation in Devon, though not always visible, is real, with some areas having some of the lowest wages in the country.

“The announcement has come so late into our budget-setting arrangements that we will now have to cut £10 million from our operating costs and from the money we were expecting to spend next year on providing care, support, and services for our young, elderly, and vulnerable residents,” McInnes said, stressing that last-minute cuts are inefficient and damaging.

Liberal Democrat Councillor, Caroline Leaver echoed these concerns, highlighting that while Devon may be seen as a picturesque county, there is significant deprivation in certain parts.

Labour Councillor, Carol Whitton urged all councillors to work with MPs to fully understand the implications of the proposal, while Independent group Councillor, Frank Biederman called the situation “disappointing” and expressed his willingness to sign a letter to the Government in protest.

With the Government's decision still pending, the pressure is mounting on local leaders to protect essential services in Devon’s rural communities.