22 July 2005
Government plans to cap eight councils' budgets received the go-ahead in the High Court this week when an appeal for a judicial review by South Cambridgeshire District Council failed.
Council leader Sebastian Kindersley described the July 19 ruling as 'a black day' and said the cap would lead to cuts in services. 'The decision comes as a body blow for a district that does not deserve it,' he said.
Lawyers for South Cambs had claimed the decision to cap the council's budget at £11,350,000 — a reduction of nearly 19% — were 'manifestly absurd'.
But Mr Justice Stanley Burnton said the government had acted within its powers.
PFjul2005
