MIPIM 2015: Anderson pleas for end to austerity
The General Election in May is "the most important election for Liverpool, ever" following the impact of budget cuts on the local authority, says Mayor Joe Anderson.
When asked about his message to voters and politicians ahead of the May elections, Anderson said: "We're in a desperate situation when it comes to local government settlement, and we can't take it any more.
"Our funding from central government has been cut by 58%. This is the most important election for Liverpool ever, as if we don't get any more money we'll only be able to do the statutory minimum.
"My advice is get out there and vote. Both parties can see the devolution train is on the track, which can only mean good things for Liverpool."
Liverpool is part of a group local authorities alongside Wirral, Knowsley, Halton, Sefton and St Helens. The city region has got a reputation for infighting going back decades. After the first meeting to establish the combined authority in April 2014 Anderson threatened to take legal action when a vote over leadership of the new authority was allegedly taken while he was absent.
At a joint event with Manchester at MIPIM this week, Anderson admitted that he was "frustrated by the lack of vision and ambition" of the city region, which he described as "parochial".
When pressed further on this issue at the Liverpool dinner on Tuesday night, he said: "If the city region doesn't join with Liverpool to target powers from central government, Liverpool will just keep redeveloping itself. You only have to witness what is going on in the city to see that our approach is working.
"But right now, I am perplexed as to how that's going to happen, at the moment local authorities see devolution as Liverpool taking powers from them, which would not be the case."
As for Liverpool's presence at MIPIM, where there are 26 companies in the city's delegation, Anderson was optimistic.
"It's a success already," he said. "There has been real interest in investment with good quality companies.
"Putting yourself in the shop window is really important, and that's why it's essential for us to be here. Liverpool has turned a corner, in terms of showcasing. We are now a recognised brand, investing and developing across the city and confident about our future.
"The best days lie ahead."
deluded – liverpool doesn’t have a plan. saying wirral has less of a plan is not exactly the answer
By Mannamead
May be tough but perhaps the Council would be better restricting its activities to the statutory minimum of social care etc. Disastrous forays into property speculation such as the Cunard Building and the money lost through the BT deal over the years shows they are not fit for purpose. Joe means well but his senior managers/sycophants are not of the right calibre
By John Brown
Joe, and therefore Liverpool, always has a whiff of being sans rudder. His plans, such as they are, usually consist of trying to piggyback on those of other more capable leader or, if that fails, whining.
By frontage
I agree with the comments made byothers and also to a certain degree with what Joe says – not his biggest fan. The Liverpool Region should work more closely together and this will undoubtedly be in teh intrest of all. Petty parrochial politics is not the answer to the regions future.
By Craig
Not sure what Mannamed means?? Deluded adn no plan…. the place has come on leaps and bounds over teh past 10 years or so??
By Anonymous
what about the next ten years?
By speakdiff
The City’s has come on leaps and bounds over the last 10 years and that is a reflection on the executive leadership 10-15 years ago…beware of the ribbon cutters, it does not mean that they have done the hard work. We need visonaries and I’m afraid we won’t have that for some time to come as Joe listens to his current executive team – because, visionaries they are not.
By AnonAnon
mannamead i take it your from manchester lol say no more .. Liverpool puts you lot in the shade; Liverpool is a growing city with the fastest growing economy outside London, with plenty of investment . Am not from Liverpool but i would rather live there and invest here than manchester
By vegemite