THE LEADER of Warrington Borough Council has requested a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss a government-imposed budget reduction of 40 per cent.

Over the last five years Warrington Borough Council’s funding from central government has been reduced by 40 per cent and Cllr Terry O’ Neill has written to David Cameron requesting a meeting to discuss the impact the cuts have had on the town.

Cllr O’ Neill’s letter comes in the wake of David Cameron’s complaint to Oxfordshire County Council about cuts to services in his own constituency which have been made in the wake of central funding cuts.

In the letter, Cllr O’ Neill said: “I would welcome a meeting with you to discuss the implications of the budget reductions for this borough – our funding has been reduced by over 40 per cent in the past five years and we face further budget reductions.

“I would like you to be aware personally of the impacts for our residents and businesses.”

Cllr O’ Neill has also written an open letter to Warrington South MP David Mowat questioning whether he understands the impact of cuts on council services.

In the letter to Mr Mowat, he said: “The Prime Minister thinks his own Conservative led county council should protect services in the teeth of his government’s cuts – do you share his inability to understand how local government simply cannot have its funding cut without having an impact on local services and the communities we serve?”