COUNCILLORS claim that discrimination against East Lancashire's spending levels ignores the level of need in the region.

Senior representatives from four East Lancashire councils met with MP Hilary Armstrong - minister for local government and housing - and pressed her to allow a 1.5 per cent increase in their spending.

The recent financial settlement allowed 394 local authorities to raise their spending levels in 1988/9, refusing 39 councils any increase in expenditure. Out of these 39, four were in East Lancashire.

Hyndburn Council has been capped at £9.5million for seven years, forcing the authority to make cuts. The four councils requested Mrs Armstrong to give them the 1.5 per cent increase which is the minimum other authorities have received.

Councillor George Slynn, leader of Hyndburn Council, said: "The minister listened carefully to our plea for the capping level to be raised by 1.5 per cent, and I am sure she will now support our case during the final round of decisions."

He added: "There is overwhelming evidence that the level of need in East Lancashire is not recognised by the current assessment formula. If the government agrees to this relaxation of the capping level, it will aid the council's fight to maintain services which are vital to the local community, while still enabling the authority to reduce the level of income tax."

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