LOCAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING IN THE NORTH EAST

That this House believes that the Government should reconsider the local government funding formula which has led Darlington Borough Council to implement savage spending cuts that threaten the fabric of the town; regrets that these cuts affect not only the most vulnerable but will impact on every corner of the borough; notes that social services, children's centres, health, street cleaning and even grass-cutting are among the services to be hit hardest; further notes that iconic buildings, including Darlington's Victorian covered market and Central Library face closure; and calls on the Government to overturn this funding decision.