It's going to be an interesting few years. I've picked up that voters are unhappy about Labour's moves on WFA and PIP - and I understand that. Concerns which have been rumbling on for years is about social care and the long waiting lists to get children with special needs assessed - I understand that.
However, what I don't understand is what Reform is planning to do about the issues which bother people most. About 70-75% of county council's budgets is spent on social care, so what is Reform planning to do? Unless Council Tax is increased, even a 10% increase in the budget for social care would mean a cut of more than 25% in the remaining services provided by County Councils. Other major County Council responsibilities include education (including SEND transport), transport (including subsidised bus fares and the senior bus pass) and fire and public safety. Insisting that nobody works from home will involve increases in costs for heating and cleaning. Very little is actually spent on diversity and net zero initiatives, so savings in those areas won't compensate for shortages n other areas.
The people who have been hit hardest by the cut to WFA, changes to PIP and increase in bus fares are exactly the same people who will be affected by any cuts to County Councils' budgets.
I'm grateful my council didn't hold elections for another year, but it's going to be interesting to watch from the sidelines.
