COUNCIL bosses have returned empty-handed from a top-level delegation to London, with pleas for more cash from the Government failing.

Senior members and officials were told on Tuesday by environment minister Mrs Hilary Armstrong that there would be little or no extra cash or any relaxation in capping limits to halt cuts of up to £6 million.

Even a 5,000 name petition organised by Bury, Radcliffe and District Trades Council, presented to the minister by the delegation, failed to secure any major new funds.

Coun Derek Boden, leader of Bury Council, said Mrs Armstrong had given the delegation "a fair and understanding hearing" but could not come up with any more cash.

"We were left under no illusion about the Government's determination not to allow spending in the public sector to rise," said Coun Boden.

"We know that the incoming administration have pledged a total review of local government funding for next year, and it is now a question of Bury once again tightening its belts."

The borough's two MPs, Bury North's David Chaytor and Bury South's Ivan Lewis, organised the meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Chaytor said that he hoped there were one or two pots of money left which could see a little more coming Bury's way.

He questioned the way capping levels were set by Government, but conceded there was little chance of them changing this year. Mr Lewis said that the council faced a "finger in the dyke" year in the hope of better times to come once the review of local government finance was completed in time for next year.

"What people need to remember is that at the beginning of the budget process the council were fearing cuts of more than £10 million," he said. "That is considerably reduced now."

Mr Lewis said Bury's case had been very effectively put to the Government, and added: "There is a tacit acknowledgement that Bury does not get a fair deal, and the Government have said they want local government finance to be fairer."

Joining Coun Boden were chief executive Mr Dennis Taylor and borough treasurer Mr John Cook, Coun Steve Perkins, chairman of the finance sub-committee and Coun Wilf Davison of the Liberal Democrat group on the council.

Education is the only service likely to escape cuts in this year's round, with the council receiving extra funding from central Government. However, other services do face savings for the sixth year running. Over the past five years, Bury have made cuts totalling some £35 million.

The council's finance sub-committee will hold their first meeting to discuss the council budget on Monday, January 19, at Bury town hall.

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