Revaluation Is A Hump Of Rhodri's Making

12.00.00am GMT Tue 8th Feb 2005

The Labour government's arbitrary threat to cap certain councils and police authorities has been called in to question during First Minister's Question Time.

Michael German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, challenged Rhodri Morgan at question time today to justify his government's decision to place a cap on spending in local authorities and in police forces. Local government leaders and Chief Constables have already spoken out, stating Labour's capping threat will force them to cut services.

And he mocked the government's thinking, pointing out that police authorities were allowed to increase precepts by 15% last year, but limited to 5% this year. "Anyone would think there was an election this year?" said Mr German.

He also asked: "In the Home Office's Police settlement this year, Wales has, once again, fared badly in relation to police authorities in England. So despite a miserly settlement from the Home Office and a miserly settlement from your Government, do you reasonably expect police in Wales to be able to clear up growing problems like binge drinking, keep a reassuring presence on the streets, and catch criminals?

Mr Morgan claimed that with careful budgeting (i.e. cuts) police would be able to avoid capping, despite the fact that Gwent's Chief Constable has stated he will have to take police officers off the streets to meet the cap.

Mr German added: "Rhodri Morgan said today that revaluation is a 'one-year hump' that councils have to smooth out. He has failed to take responsibility for the fact that when he says councils need to 'get over the hump' - it is a hump of his own creation. His government created the problem by insisting on rebanding this year and failing to provide enough money for local authorities. Now by capping their spending, he is forcing police forces and local authorities to make cuts in the services they offer."