COUNCIL leaders have slammed government funding proposals which would mean a £3.2m drop in finances over the next financial year.

The plans, announced in the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, would see a 5 percent cut in Blackburn with Darwen Council's revenue support grant compared to 2017/18.

Borough bosses blasted the settlement as 'disappointing' and said 'residents would suffer' at a council forum on Thursday.

The proposals would also see a continuation of the adult social care precept which would allow increases of up to 6 per cent over the period 2017/18 to 2019/20.

There would also be a continuation of the maximum increase in council tax for district councils.

This would mean a rise of three per cent or £5 for a Band D property, but for police and crime commissioners, an increase of three per cent or £12 for a Band D property.

Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen council, said: "This is something the government needs to look at.

"We need to find the best way forward to have sustainable services that can be delivered.

"The government are not listening and they propose theses rises to the adult social care precept and for other council tax knowing there is a shortfall in funding.

"They can afford to give £1bn to the DUP so they've got the money.

"We need to stand up and tell them is not acceptable and that people are going to suffer.

"The settlement is disappointing and we will not be given a single penny."

Cllr Andy Kay, executive member for the resources portfolio and deputy leader of the council said: "This settlement is no surprise.

"We knew it was on the way.

"We are being expected to raise more money locally and yet have more cut from our central government grants.

"We will never be able to catch up and provide services with those approach, as we don't have the tax base of other richer authorities.

"In essence, they're cutting the grant and asking us to replace it by raising money locally.

"This is not good for services and for residents and it's the people that will suffer.

"This is a disappointing settlement."

Meanwhile, Lancashire Liberal Democrat peer Lord Tony Greaves called on the government to 'come clean about the Lancashire Police precept.'

He said: “They say they are providing the money but they are not – they are expecting the comissioners to put up the council tax and take the blame.

"There are lots more efficiency savings to be made but Lancashire has already lost 800 police officers.

"Crime is going up again and buying the police fancy devices but they are no good if the police have already gone.

"They need to come clean about the Lancashire Police precept."

The proposed settlement was announced by the secretary of state for communities and local government, Sajid Javid, in an oral statement to House of Commons on December 19 last year.

It will be considered by Blackburn with Darwen's finance council on February 26 and also laid before the Commons for approval in February.

The proposed cut comes as Lancashire County cuts of more than £11m were branded savage earlier this month.

Planned cuts include £1.25m from children and family wellbeing services, and cutting £1.026m from the budget for learning, disability and autism residential reviews.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government' spokesman said Blackburn with Darwen Council will receive over £240 million over the next two years to spend on services.

The spokesman said: :“More flexibility is being given to local authorities, so they have greater control over the money they raise to address local needs, while protecting residents against excessive council tax bill rises.

“Blackburn with Darwen council will receive over £240 million over the next two years to spend on services.

“We have published a consultation on how councils are funded that will take into account their own needs and circumstances. We aim to bring in a new system by April 2020.”

A government spokesman added: “We announced an extra £2 billion for adult social care last year, giving councils access to £9.25 billion of dedicated funding over three years – along with the freedom to raise more money through the precept.”