15+ 11; years ago, less now than 1a years ago, basically. the array of services, the panoply of services, what is it like where you are, something has to give, what is giving and what should stay where it is, funded how it is at the moment. tony travis, what are the basic problems facing councils up the basic problems facing councils up and down the country? the problem are uuite up and down the country? the problem are quite sober. _ up and down the country? the problem are quite sober, really. _ up and down the country? the problem are quite sober, really. they _ up and down the country? the problem are quite sober, really. they are - are quite sober, really. they are facing the fact that it is now 1a years since an attempt was made by national government to bring down its deficit, and that involved piling cuts, more on local government, and the home office and justice departments than other parts of public spending such as the national health service and state pension which have been predicted. local government took deeper tucks than other parts of the public sector. —— deeper cuts. in the last few years the covenant has found real terms slightly extra money for local government, it is still

spending around ten or 20% lower in real terms than it was in 2010. other parts of the public sector are spending more. finally we need to note that demand for services are going up with the population getting older and growing. many people have needs they have to have where councils have to provide services. in a sense it has reduced resources and greater demand. and in the end some way will have to be found in national politics to change the local government funding model or get local government doing less. to local government funding model is very different in other countries. it certainly is. in other countries you have a local income taxes. in scandinavia, famously, norway, sweden and denmark, local income taxes. even in the united states, more local taxes are available so local decisions are made. that's another issue. what local governments spend is heavily

constrained by central government, and central government has wanted local government to cut its spending over time and that has led to the pressures that you will hear about from people around the country this morning i suspect. the from people around the country this morning i suspect.— from people around the country this morning i suspect. the balance is we have the budget _ morning i suspect. the balance is we have the budget coming _ morning i suspect. the balance is we have the budget coming up - morning i suspect. the balance is we l have the budget coming up tomorrow, if there is going to be some sort of national insurance cut, will that balance what people are seeing in their local neighbourhood centre cuts in services? we their local neighbourhood centre cuts in services?— cuts in services? we will hear a treat cuts in services? we will hear a great deal _ cuts in services? we will hear a great deal tomorrow _ cuts in services? we will hear a great deal tomorrow about - cuts in services? we will hear a great deal tomorrow about tax| cuts in services? we will hear a - great deal tomorrow about tax cuts, i suspect, budgets tend to do that. it's worth remembering council tax is only 5% of all taxes, for every £1 we pay in council tax, £19 is paid in other taxes. but the council tax comes in a bill through the front door, it is more noticeable than vat and other taxes we all pay. i don't expect to hear much about council tax tomorrow but who knows, all chancellors like surprises and

perhaps there will be a surprise for local government in the budget. we will see, thank you tony travis. wherever you are we want the view from your window, we want the overview, the national view, and you text as well on 85058. it's about nottingham and birmingham and your council as well. we can go to two people in birmingham. malcolm, do you want to know what's happening, what the hell is happening where you are? , , . ., , what the hell is happening where you are? , , , are? firstly, can i 'ust say the government _ are? firstly, can ijust say the government grant, _ are? firstly, can ijust say the government grant, it's - are? firstly, can ijust say the government grant, it's not. are? firstly, can ijust say the i government grant, it's not their pocket— government grant, it's not their pocket money, it's money that taxpayer— pocket money, it's money that taxpayer has given them. when they take it _ taxpayer has given them. when they take it away from us they are robbing — take it away from us they are robbing us both ways, especially when _ robbing us both ways, especially when you — robbing us both ways, especially when you live in birmingham. i think it was_ when you live in birmingham. i think it was marion that came on... that was earlier. _ it was marion that came on... that was earlier, for _ it was marion that came on... twat was earlier, for people have joined us earlier, the shadow leader of the

birmingham council, a conservative councillor, the council is run by labour. , ., , ., labour. did he actually mention it? what do you _ labour. did he actually mention it? what do you see — labour. did he actually mention it? what do you see around _ labour. did he actually mention it? what do you see around you? - labour. did he actually mention it? what do you see around you? the i what do you see around you? the departments _ what do you see around you? the departments in birmingham, they are not occupied, they are in the wrong area _ not occupied, they are in the wrong area if_ not occupied, they are in the wrong area if the — not occupied, they are in the wrong area. if the council actually owned them, _ area. if the council actually owned them, why— area. if the council actually owned them, why don't they use them as countil— them, why don't they use them as council properties and flats and get people _ council properties and flats and get people in— council properties and flats and get people in them and get rent for them? — people in them and get rent for them? but the roads are disgraceful, lots of— them? but the roads are disgraceful, lots of potholes. i've seen the town centre _ lots of potholes. i've seen the town centre totally run down, it looks terrible — centre totally run down, it looks terrible. everything seems to be broken. — terrible. everything seems to be broken, even the parking metres. these _ broken, even the parking metres. these are — broken, even the parking metres. these are the little things that are so important to people. we: a so important to people. it's a disgrace- _ so important to people. it's a disgrace. people _ so important to people. it's a disgrace. people hate - so important to people. it's a disgrace. people hate to - so important to people. it's a disgrace. people hate to see | so important to people. it's a disgrace. people hate to see litter on the _

disgrace. people hate to see litter on the streets and birmingham tooksm — on the streets and birmingham looks... i'm not going to say what i was going — looks... i'm not going to say what i was going to — looks... i'm not going to say what i was going to. is looks. .. i'm not going to say what i was going to— was going to. is it getting worse? it is was going to. is it getting worse? it is getting _ was going to. is it getting worse? it is getting worse, _ was going to. is it getting worse? it is getting worse, yeah. - was going to. is it getting worse? it is getting worse, yeah. i - was going to. is it getting worse? it is getting worse, yeah. ijust i it is getting worse, yeah. ijust wonder— it is getting worse, yeah. ijust wonder about the quality of things. if wonder about the quality of things. if roads _ wonder about the quality of things. if roads get marked on the get new lines on _ if roads get marked on the get new lines on them and everything, and when _ lines on them and everything, and when it— lines on them and everything, and when it rains you can't see them, so what _ when it rains you can't see them, so what do _ when it rains you can't see them, so what do you — when it rains you can't see them, so what do you they use on them? they wear away— what do you they use on them? they wear away in — what do you they use on them? they wear away in a couple of years and have _ wear away in a couple of years and have to _ wear away in a couple of years and have to be — wear away in a couple of years and have to be done again. i don't know whether— have to be done again. i don't know whether councils in general are being _ whether councils in general are being ripped off by people selling, and buying second rate stuff. i don't — and buying second rate stuff. i don't know. if and buying second rate stuff. i don't know— and buying second rate stuff. i don't know. , ., ~ ., ., don't know. if you think about what the do, don't know. if you think about what they do. and _ don't know. if you think about what they do, and this _ don't know. if you think about what they do, and this is _ don't know. if you think about what they do, and this is for _ don't know. if you think about what they do, and this is for everyone, l they do, and this is for everyone, household planning, social care, building consent, enforcement, youth opportunity funding. let's bring someone else in and do a couple of texts. it is a great call and i will come back to you if i get the chance. we have loads coming in. we need at least 2 million homes built

in this country, if we built them and everyone was paying £1500 council tax then councils would have an extra 3 billion to spend, george has done an interesting calculation on the back of an envelope. the services i get from local government lesson every year but the dividends paid out to local businesses supplying local governments seem to be growing and growing. it seems like my tax goes into other people's pockets. i can only repeat what i said on the 12th of september. councils are chronically underfunded due to the ridiculous funding by council tax which disproportionately penalises poorer members of the community. that's from alice in brighton. paul, not real name, in london, good morning. what do you see around you? t london, good morning. what do you see around you?— see around you? i work as a chartered — see around you? i work as a chartered building _ see around you? i work as a chartered building surveyor| see around you? i work as a i chartered building surveyor in see around you? i work as a - chartered building surveyor in the private sector but through my work i come in contact with local authorities. what i would say, and i

have to choose my words carefully, but i question the relationship they have with contractors, scaffolders and suchlike. the competitive tendering process for some things. to give a couple of examples if i have time. to give a couple of examples if i have time-— to give a couple of examples if i have time. ., ., .., have time. trading with legal care, of course. yes, _ have time. trading with legal care, of course. yes, of _ have time. trading with legal care, of course. yes, of course. - have time. trading with legal care, of course. yes, of course. i - have time. trading with legal care, of course. yes, of course. i will. of course. yes, of course. i will choose my _ of course. yes, of course. i will choose my words _ of course. yes, of course. i will choose my words carefully. - of course. yes, of course. i will choose my words carefully. we | of course. yes, of course. i will. choose my words carefully. we got called to a building on fire. the fire was put out. i represented the freeholders of the building that was on fire. the local authority district surveyor came along and said the building is a dangerous instructor and scaffolding has to be put up immediately. we had an independent engineer who said the building wasn't in danger of collapse. we could get a scaffold up within 2a hours. the district surveyor in a london borough said no, that isn't quick enough, we need to get our own scaffolders in. they erected a scaffold that they charged

£400,000 for. we had a separate quote for around 200,000. we had no say in it, it wasjust quote for around 200,000. we had no say in it, it was just put up. the client ended up having to pay for it. i appreciate it isn't the taxpayer in this instance but that scaffolding firm i have seen putting up scaffolding firm i have seen putting up scaffolding for cladding jobs and public buildings and they seem to get all the work from the local authority in that area. given there is no tendering process for that job, it makes you wonder if there is a similar situation for the public funded jobs. a similar situation for the public fundedjobs. tt a similar situation for the public funded jobs-— funded jobs. it is interesting because someone _ funded jobs. it is interesting| because someone mentioned funded jobs. it is interesting - because someone mentioned earlier, and maybe it is indicative of the level of cynicism when people see how their money is spent and they think it is being wasted. it is not so much bang for your book according to some people, but bung for your book. , ., , , .,

book. maybe i am suggesting that. there is another _ book. maybe i am suggesting that. there is another instance - book. maybe i am suggesting that. there is another instance that - book. maybe i am suggesting that. there is another instance that we l there is another instance that we come across quite a lot where we have to do work on pavement. we are looking after a building that is surrounded by pavement and the pavement is essentially owned by the local authority. pavement is essentially owned by the localauthority. if pavement is essentially owned by the local authority. if we need to do work for services going into the building, i have quotes for £1000 to dig up a square metre of pavement, and the pavement is a mess anyway, it's not likely we will be damaging the asset. the local authority will say, no, you can't touch it, we own the pavement and it will cost you £5,000. we are talking of multiples of two, three, five, for every project they do, and it's the same contractors when you order them, so how are they tendering and what is the process and why us taxpayers do we not have access to that information?— we not have access to that information? , , ., , information? interesting questions and trenchant _ information? interesting questions and trenchant comments _ information? interesting questions and trenchant comments as - information? interesting questions and trenchant comments as ever i information? interesting questions i and trenchant comments as ever from listeners and viewers. the main things on the texts seem to be gold

plated public sector pensions and council tax banding that hasn't been affected in ages. howard in islington, good morning in north london. what do you feel about your council at the moment? t’m london. what do you feel about your council at the moment?— council at the moment? i'm actually in elstree where _ council at the moment? i'm actually in elstree where bbc _ council at the moment? i'm actually in elstree where bbc have _ council at the moment? i'm actually in elstree where bbc have their - in elstree where bbc have their studios — in elstree where bbc have their studios. my tax, my rates at the moment— studios. my tax, my rates at the moment are just over £300 a month. so far— moment are just over £300 a month. so far we _ moment are just over £300 a month. so far we have just had a letter that they— so far we have just had a letter that they will enforce telling us, i had two _ that they will enforce telling us, i had two black beans that would take any waste. _ had two black beans that would take any waste, they now say they will take just — any waste, they now say they will take just one bin a week as opposed to two _ take just one bin a week as opposed to two it's — take just one bin a week as opposed to two. it's every other week they take the _ to two. it's every other week they take the black beans. if i want them to take _ take the black beans. if i want them to take the — take the black beans. if i want them to take the green waste, which is for grass, — to take the green waste, which is for grass, refuse from the garden, i

have _ for grass, refuse from the garden, i have to _ for grass, refuse from the garden, i have to pay— for grass, refuse from the garden, i have to pay an additional £50 a year for them _ have to pay an additional £50 a year for them to— have to pay an additional £50 a year for them to take that away. what they have — for them to take that away. what they have done by only having one bin removed every two weeks, you can't _ bin removed every two weeks, you can't put _ bin removed every two weeks, you can't put it— bin removed every two weeks, you can't put it in the other bin because _ can't put it in the other bin because obviously the other bin will -et because obviously the other bin will get full— because obviously the other bin will get full before they come and remove it. if get full before they come and remove it if you _ get full before they come and remove it. if you have any refuse from your garden _ it. if you have any refuse from your garden then— it. if you have any refuse from your garden then you have no choice but to pay— garden then you have no choice but to pay the — garden then you have no choice but to pay the extra £50 a year for them to pay the extra £50 a year for them to take _ to pay the extra £50 a year for them to take it _ to pay the extra £50 a year for them to take it. up until now it has all been _ to take it. up until now it has all been free — to take it. up until now it has all been free. they used to take the ref use every— been free. they used to take the ref use every week but now it's every other— use every week but now it's every other week — use every week but now it's every other week. that's not good. the street— other week. that's not good. the street lighting goes off very early now, _ street lighting goes off very early now. it _ street lighting goes off very early now, it used to be on all the time and on _ now, it used to be on all the time and on certain days it doesn't go on at ait~ _ and on certain days it doesn't go on at ait~ we _ and on certain days it doesn't go on at all. we are paying more and getting — at all. we are paying more and getting less. at all. we are paying more and getting less-— at all. we are paying more and getting less. how frustrating is this for you? — getting less. how frustrating is this for you? these _ getting less. how frustrating is this for you? these are - getting less. how frustrating is this for you? these are the - getting less. how frustrating is - this for you? these are the issues, these are the seemingly irrelevant but massively important issues that matter to people, and you see all around you with your own eyes. pretty angry. around you with your own eyes.

pretty angry-— pretty angry. when the refuse collector comes, _ pretty angry. when the refuse collector comes, when - pretty angry. when the refuse collector comes, when you - pretty angry. when the refuse l collector comes, when you have pretty angry. when the refuse - collector comes, when you have two bins. _ collector comes, when you have two bins. and _ collector comes, when you have two bins. and it's— collector comes, when you have two bins, and it'sjust the second bin, they— bins, and it'sjust the second bin, they take — bins, and it'sjust the second bin, they take the first one, you think, hang _ they take the first one, you think, hang on. — they take the first one, you think, hang on, what are they taking, what am i hang on, what are they taking, what am i paying — hang on, what are they taking, what am i paying for? it seems to be wasting — am i paying for? it seems to be wasting his time because he leaves the second — wasting his time because he leaves the second one. the lady earlier talked _ the second one. the lady earlier talked about people throwing rubbish on the _ talked about people throwing rubbish on the bound date my ground, but the council _ on the bound date my ground, but the council encourage it, you can't put it in your— council encourage it, you can't put it in your full— council encourage it, you can't put it in your full bin so where are you supposed — it in your full bin so where are you supposed to— it in your full bin so where are you supposed to put it?— supposed to put it? terry in wakefield. _ supposed to put it? terry in wakefield, good _ supposed to put it? terry in wakefield, good morning. | supposed to put it? terry in - wakefield, good morning. what's happening in your manner? let’s wakefield, good morning. what's happening in your manner? let's be honest, happening in your manner? let's be honest. it's — happening in your manner? let's be honest, it's all _ happening in your manner? let's be honest, it's all a _ happening in your manner? let's be honest, it's all a crock. _ happening in your manner? let's be honest, it's all a crock. every - honest, it's all a crock. every council in the country is incorporated. they are all registered, they are all businesses, they are limited corporations. i have every number of the council, of every council. all the councils are incorporated. all the councillors are either incorporated or whatever,

police, incorporation. look it up and you will find them. they have all got shareholders. haifa and you will find them. they have all got shareholders.— all got shareholders. how is this affectin: all got shareholders. how is this affecting your — all got shareholders. how is this affecting your neighbourhood? l all got shareholders. how is this - affecting your neighbourhood? there is no money — affecting your neighbourhood? there is no money because _ affecting your neighbourhood? there is no money because they _ affecting your neighbourhood? tues is no money because they look at it as corporate profit. they will do what they want with it. so if it is corporate profit, where do our taxes go? there is no representation any more this country, none, because they are all corporate entities. they are all private limited companies. they are all registered in the city of london. work that one out. why? in the city of london. work that one out. wh ? . ~ . in the city of london. work that one out. wh ? , out. why? nick is there as well. what do you _ out. why? nick is there as well. what do you want _ out. why? nick is there as well. what do you want to _ out. why? nick is there as well. what do you want to say? - out. why? nick is there as well. what do you want to say? mick, out. why? nick is there as well. | what do you want to say? mick, i out. why? nick is there as well. - what do you want to say? mick, i beg your pardon. it's a fine part of the world that you are from. say your

say. t world that you are from. say your sa . . ., world that you are from. say your sa . , ., , ., world that you are from. say your sa. , ., ., world that you are from. say your sa. , ., ., say. i listen to your radio show a lot of the — say. i listen to your radio show a lot of the time _ say. i listen to your radio show a lot of the time and _ say. i listen to your radio show a lot of the time and this - say. i listen to your radio show a | lot of the time and this argument comes— lot of the time and this argument comes up— lot of the time and this argument comes up in so many of the calls and in your— comes up in so many of the calls and in your topics — comes up in so many of the calls and in your topics. but nobody seems to mention— in your topics. but nobody seems to mention the — in your topics. but nobody seems to mention the amount of fraudulent benefit _ mention the amount of fraudulent benefit claims that go on in this country — benefit claims that go on in this country. and the impact that has on the funding — country. and the impact that has on the funding that central government how to _ the funding that central government how to use, but also the knock—on effect _ how to use, but also the knock—on effect on _ how to use, but also the knock—on effect on local government where a lot of— effect on local government where a lot of these people who fraudulently claim benefits get free rent, free council— claim benefits get free rent, free council tax, council tax reductions. it council tax, council tax reductions. it all— council tax, council tax reductions. it all has _ council tax, council tax reductions. it all has an — council tax, council tax reductions. it all has an impact. you know, you could _ it all has an impact. you know, you could walk— it all has an impact. you know, you could walk down one street, down the road from _ could walk down one street, down the road from me, and there's probably ten families— road from me, and there's probably ten families there who are probably richer— ten families there who are probably richer now— ten families there who are probably richer now than they have ever been, going _ richer now than they have ever been, going on— richer now than they have ever been, going on multiple european holidays every— going on multiple european holidays every day. _ going on multiple european holidays every day, rubbing working people's noses— every day, rubbing working people's noses in— every day, rubbing working people's

noses in it — every day, rubbing working people's noses in it. are every day, rubbing working people's noses in it. �* , ., every day, rubbing working people's noses in it. �* , , noses in it. are you sure? maybe it has an impact _ noses in it. are you sure? maybe it has an impact and _ noses in it. are you sure? maybe it has an impact and significance - noses in it. are you sure? maybe it has an impact and significance but| has an impact and significance but surely a lot of that is to do with central government. the main problem is when it comes to financial jiggery—pokery in this is when it comes to financial jiggery-pokery in this country is the big stuff, from the big people. that's what's really slamming people, isn't it?— that's what's really slamming people, isn't it? well, yes, it is. it people, isn't it? well, yes, it is. it seems — people, isn't it? well, yes, it is. it seems i _ people, isn't it? well, yes, it is. it seems i might _ people, isn't it? well, yes, it is. it seems i might be _ people, isn't it? well, yes, it is. it seems i might be just - people, isn't it? well, yes, it is. it seems i might be just having i people, isn't it? well, yes, it is. | it seems i might be just having a people, isn't it? well, yes, it is. . it seems i might be just having a go on people _ it seems i might be just having a go on people who are claiming benefits. obviously _ on people who are claiming benefits. obviously there are mistakes made by central— obviously there are mistakes made by central government as well as local government. but, you know, like i say. _ government. but, you know, like i say. every— government. but, you know, like i say, every little helps. we are talking — say, every little helps. we are talking big money with some of these benefit _ talking big money with some of these benefit claims. there are people fraudulently claiming for houses that they live in with families that have got— that they live in with families that have got multiple children and they don't even — have got multiple children and they don't even live in those properties. thank— don't even live in those properties. thank you — don't even live in those properties. thank you very much indeed. all

views are very welcome. a text, i worked for two councils previously and husband works at management level at one now. he is awash with cash. they are appallingly inefficiently managed with numerous senior managers paid 100,000 each. delivering no services, very inefficient back—office functions. and some councillors thatjust don't have the skills to manage and scrutinise. the waste is scandalous. that's from anonymous, but worth reading out. lucy, good morning to use. reading out. lucy, good morning to use, .. reading out. lucy, good morning to use-_ where - reading out. lucy, good morning to| use._ where are you? use. good morning. where are you? west yorkshire. _ use. good morning. where are you? west yorkshire. tell _ use. good morning. where are you? west yorkshire. tell us _ use. good morning. where are you? west yorkshire. tell us about - use. good morning. where are you? west yorkshire. tell us about west i west yorkshire. tell us about west

yorkshire. west yorkshire. tell us about west yorkshire- at _ west yorkshire. tell us about west yorkshire. at kirklees _ west yorkshire. tell us about west yorkshire. at kirklees council- west yorkshire. tell us about west yorkshire. at kirklees council stop | yorkshire. at kirklees council stop what it's all— yorkshire. at kirklees council stop what it's all yours, _ yorkshire. at kirklees council stop what it's all yours, fire _ yorkshire. at kirklees council stop what it's all yours, fire away. - yorkshire. at kirklees council stop what it's all yours, fire away. ouri what it's all yours, fire away. our local mp did an with politics north. if everybody wants to see it, it is on youtube. he said the chief executive had left, the labour leader of the council was ousted, the council responsible for finance was moved out of the row. senior directors are leaving. a labour councillor was jailed for perverting the course ofjustice. they are wasting money with metal trees that cost £250,000. they are charging people for permit parking is outside their own home. from £15 a yearfor a visitor, for the resident. and nothing for a visitor. they are

changing it to £50 a year instead of £15 for the lifetime of the vehicle. the council have changed the free passes for visitors permit to £50 a year. passes for visitors permit to £50 a ear. ., ,., y ., passes for visitors permit to £50 a ear. ,, , passes for visitors permit to £50 a ear. | year. tell me about your rubbish. i didn't aet year. tell me about your rubbish. i didn't get it... — year. tell me about your rubbish. i didn't get it... they _ year. tell me about your rubbish. i didn't get it... they only _ year. tell me about your rubbish. i didn't get it... they only come - year. tell me about your rubbish. i | didn't get it... they only come once a fortnight anyway and i didn't have any rubbish collected from the beginning of december until a week ago, when i rang and said to the young lady, i said, ago, when i rang and said to the young lady, isaid, i ago, when i rang and said to the young lady, i said, i don't get an awful lot of benefit from my council tax every year, but i said i haven't even had my rubbish taken since early december.— even had my rubbish taken since early december. how frustrating. jackie in lee _ early december. how frustrating. jackie in lee on _ early december. how frustrating. jackie in lee on solent. _ early december. how frustrating. jackie in lee on solent. good - jackie in lee on solent. good morning. tell me more about your council. b. morning. tell me more about your council. �* , ., morning. tell me more about your council. ~ , ., y ., , morning. tell me more about your council. ~ , ., y ., ., council. a couple of years ago, the winter before _ council. a couple of years ago, the winter before last, _ council. a couple of years ago, the

winter before last, i _ council. a couple of years ago, the winter before last, i was _ council. a couple of years ago, the winter before last, i was based - council. a couple of years ago, the winter before last, i was based at| winter before last, i was based at my door's — winter before last, i was based at my door's accounts mag house. two or three _ my door's accounts mag house. two or three council— my door's accounts mag house. two or three council vehicles came into the road. _ three council vehicles came into the road. they— three council vehicles came into the road, they sat there for 90 minutes first and _ road, they sat there for 90 minutes first and proceeded to fill the pot holes _ first and proceeded to fill the pot holes in — first and proceeded to fill the pot holes in her road, got back in the vehicle. — holes in her road, got back in the vehicle. had— holes in her road, got back in the vehicle, had another cup of coffee and proceeded to drive away. the work _ and proceeded to drive away. the work was — and proceeded to drive away. the work was absolutely shoddy, i think i work was absolutely shoddy, i think i could _ work was absolutely shoddy, i think i could have done better with a bucket — i could have done better with a bucket and spade and some cement myself _ bucket and spade and some cement myself i_ bucket and spade and some cement myself. i was so annoyed at the waste _ myself. i was so annoyed at the waste of— myself. i was so annoyed at the waste of the time. it took them ten minutes— waste of the time. it took them ten minutes to — waste of the time. it took them ten minutes to fill the holes. i rang up the council— minutes to fill the holes. i rang up the council and complained about the work they— the council and complained about the work they had done. it was absolutely shoddy. it is happening all around these roads. i drive out quite _ all around these roads. i drive out quite regularly and they fill the roads— quite regularly and they fill the roads and put in shoddy materials and we _ roads and put in shoddy materials and we have rain and it washes all the rubbish — and we have rain and it washes all the rubbish that they put in the holes _ the rubbish that they put in the holes back out, they don't last more than a _ holes back out, they don't last more than a couple of weeks. then it takes _ than a couple of weeks. then it takes another couple of years to

fill it _ takes another couple of years to fill it and — takes another couple of years to fill it and buy then you have gone over. _ fill it and buy then you have gone over, cracked your wheel again, split— over, cracked your wheel again, split your— over, cracked your wheel again, split your tires. it is shoddy workmanship and they know they can -et workmanship and they know they can get away _ workmanship and they know they can get away with it because it's on the council~ _ get away with it because it's on the council~ |f— get away with it because it's on the council. ., , ., , council. if we were to 'ust open the -hone council. if we were to 'ust open the phone lines — council. if we were to 'ust open the phone lines on h council. if we were to just open the phone lines on potholes _ council. if we were to just open the phone lines on potholes alone - council. if we were to just open the phone lines on potholes alone it i phone lines on potholes alone it would go ballistic, absolutely. tt would go ballistic, absolutely. it would. talking _ would go ballistic, absolutely. it would. talking about _ would go ballistic, absolutely. it would. talking about councils i would go ballistic, absolutely. it| would. talking about councils per se, as i would. talking about councils per se. as i said _ would. talking about councils per se, as i said earlier— would. talking about councils per se, as i said earlier when - would. talking about councils per se, as i said earlier when we i would. talking about councils per| se, as i said earlier when we were merely on the radio, this is the phoning of 1000 issues. but as you say, is it symptomatic of your council? ~ , . say, is it symptomatic of your council? ~ y ., ., �* ~ council? well, yeah, i don't think the net council? well, yeah, i don't think they get enough _ council? well, yeah, i don't think they get enough tenders - council? well, yeah, i don't think they get enough tenders in i council? well, yeah, i don't think they get enough tenders in for i they get enough tenders in for proper— they get enough tenders in for proper contractors to come along and do these — proper contractors to come along and do these holes. some of them are right— do these holes. some of them are right cowboys, i think. the holes are just — right cowboys, i think. the holes are just not _ right cowboys, i think. the holes are just not being filled in properly. they come along and do a quick— properly. they come along and do a quick fix _

properly. they come along and do a . uick fix. , properly. they come along and do a nuick fix. , . properly. they come along and do a nuick fix. y ., ., ., quick fix. they are doing it on the chea . , quick fix. they are doing it on the cheap. maybe — quick fix. they are doing it on the cheap, maybe this _ quick fix. they are doing it on the cheap, maybe this is _ quick fix. they are doing it on the cheap, maybe this is part - quick fix. they are doing it on the cheap, maybe this is part of i quick fix. they are doing it on the cheap, maybe this is part of the i cheap, maybe this is part of the problem. i love how you said they had another cup of coffee and went home. isn't it the old bernard cribbins song? maybe they are cutting corners, that's the thing. no, they don't get it on the cheap. if no, they don't get it on the cheap. if they— no, they don't get it on the cheap. if they know they are working for the council — if they know they are working for the council they put the price up. they— the council they put the price up. they doubled the price. they know they will— they doubled the price. they know they will get away with it.- they will get away with it. thank ou for they will get away with it. thank you for that- _ they will get away with it. thank you for that. you're _ they will get away with it. thank you for that. you're welcome. . they will get away with it. thank i you for that. you're welcome. mind how ou you for that. you're welcome. mind how you drive- _ you for that. you're welcome. mind how you drive. paulette _ you for that. you're welcome. mind how you drive. paulette in - how you drive. paulette in birmingham. what's happening there and what's going to happen to services? ~ . �* . and what's going to happen to services? ~ ., �*, ., ,, ., services? what's happening to services, services? what's happening to services. as — services? what's happening to services, as you _ services? what's happening to services, as you know, - services? what's happening to| services, as you know, citizens services? what's happening to i services, as you know, citizens are going to have at least a 9.9% increase on council tax. the frustration for me, because i work in arts organisations in birmingham, is the way they have cut funding to a number of major arts organisations

that do fantastic community work around the city and they are cutting it by 50% this year and by 100% next year. it's unfair that the arts have been hit in an easy way to say, let's just cut the arts. citizens in birmingham have been targeted by birmingham have been targeted by birmingham city council for their mistakes. they are the ones, over the last ten years, they have been fighting this equal pay award. iwhich fighting this equal pay award. which noes wa fighting this equal pay award. which goes way back- _ fighting this equal pay award. which goes way back. it _ fighting this equal pay award. which goes way back. it goes _ fighting this equal pay award. which goes way back. it goes way - fighting this equal pay award. which goes way back. it goes way back. i fighting this equal pay award. which i goes way back. it goes way back. but the have goes way back. it goes way back. but they have not — goes way back. it goes way back. but they have not managed _ goes way back. it goes way back. but they have not managed finances i they have not managed finances effectively. they have a computer system that is very poor. you try to go on to your so—called brom account, you are not given instructions on how to sort out your council tax. they made poor investments, it's a poor way of investing and we asked the citizens

of birmingham are having to pay for it. that's not fair at all. you think, how can they get away with it. there are other ways and means for them to be doing things other than hitting the arts and culture in our city. as you know, birmingham did a wonderful commonwealth games. we have great, historical buildings around the city. but what we do for the community for arts, we know arts are massive. the community for arts, we know arts are massive-— are massive. and arts are good for the soul, are massive. and arts are good for the soul. they _ are massive. and arts are good for the soul, they nourish _ are massive. and arts are good for the soul, they nourish the - are massive. and arts are good for the soul, they nourish the soul. i are massive. and arts are good for. the soul, they nourish the soul. you are knocking at an open door. coming up, rachel in oldham andjim, not his real name, that will intrigue you, in lanarkshire. and on the radio after, because we are with viewers right now, and after ten o'clock you might want to join us on the radio, this is massive, what's going wrong with boys? your son,

brother, grandson, you. mps are looking at why they are underachieving throughout education. 5000 excluded from school each year and three times more likely to be excluded than girls. a simple question for you, what's going wrong? join us on the radio, get in touch and give us your diagnosis. rachel, tell us about your council. the council tax, yeah, we pay it, but there was a comment by the gentleman previously about benefits... gentleman previously about benefits. . ._ gentleman previously about benefits... ., ., ., benefits... people going on foreign holida s benefits... people going on foreign holidays who _ benefits... people going on foreign holidays who are _ benefits... people going on foreign holidays who are on _ benefits... people going on foreign holidays who are on benefits i benefits... people going on foreign holidays who are on benefits and i benefits... people going on foreign| holidays who are on benefits and all that. it sounded like, i don't know, maybe some people might think it is from the pages of a certain newspaper rather than reality stop what do you think? j newspaper rather than reality stop what do you think?— what do you think? i don't read newspapers. — what do you think? i don't read newspapers. to _ what do you think? i don't read newspapers, to be _ what do you think? i don't read newspapers, to be honest. i. what do you think? i don't read | newspapers, to be honest. i live what do you think? i don't read i newspapers, to be honest. i live in the real world. 40 years ago, i don't know if you are old enough to remember the gyros, but from a

couple of times i was getting my giro, i was skint and waiting for a job agency, and i was told by the job agency, and i was told by the job agency, and i was told by the job agency to sign on. its benefits, people cheating benefits are the people cheating benefits are the people working, really. because people working, really. because people are getting benefits, just benefits, we are notjust talking about working people on universal credit, they can't afford to cheat the system because they are the people who are the easiest target. thank you for putting that on the radio. it's a nice balance to what we heard earlier. we are talking about local councils. jim in lanarkshire, not your real name. i believe you are a housing inspector. is the money being well spent? h0. is the money being well spent? no, the simnle is the money being well spent? no, the simple answer. definitely no. the amount of years i was there and saw the _ the amount of years i was there and

saw the amount of wastage. time and time again _ saw the amount of wastage. time and time again. if it was myjob i could account— time again. if it was myjob i could account for— time again. if it was myjob i could account for every penny that came in. account for every penny that came in but— account for every penny that came in. but unfortunately somebody else not in. but unfortunately somebody else got the _ in. but unfortunately somebody else got the job. and he was a joke. nothing — got the job. and he was a joke. nothing changed. he got a couple of thousand _ nothing changed. he got a couple of thousand pounds a month extra from his promotion. for me, he should have _ his promotion. for me, he should have been— his promotion. for me, he should have been sacked. i was told on numerous — have been sacked. i was told on numerous occasions, you've got a job on the _ numerous occasions, you've got a job on the council, come in, do those hours. _ on the council, come in, do those hours. five — on the council, come in, do those hours, five days a week, 52 weeks a year~ _ hours, five days a week, 52 weeks a year~ stop _ hours, five days a week, 52 weeks a year. stop caring so much. and just take your— year. stop caring so much. and just take your retirement. it's quite shocking — take your retirement. it's quite shockinn. ,, take your retirement. it's quite shockinn. . , ~ ., �*, take your retirement. it's quite shockinn. . , ., �*, ., shocking. quite shocking, that's a nhrase. shocking. quite shocking, that's a phrase- thank— shocking. quite shocking, that's a phrase. thank you _ shocking. quite shocking, that's a phrase. thank you for _ shocking. quite shocking, that's a phrase. thank you for that - shocking. quite shocking, that's a phrase. thank you for that point l phrase. thank you for that point well made. david in london, we don't have a lot of time but we have time

for you. what's going wrong? the main thing _ for you. what's going wrong? twe: main thing that's going wrong is the actual accounting. every council in the country is fairly funded by the central government. every council in the country has to submit its data, all that data is submitted so every council can be fairly funded. that sets your revenue budget. when you sets your revenue budget. when you set your revenue budget you then have to spend to that level. you only get your council tax in to that level of budget. if you are overspending then you charge more on the council tax. one of the things that not shown at all is all the petty cash income that the councils receive that goes into the expenditure side of the accounts. it doesn't go into the income side. in

the case of some councils that can be tens of millions. i suspect with birmingham caps that could be hundreds of millions. that's on top of the revenue budget they are overspending on. furthermore, a council, when it sets its revenue budget cannot charge more council tax or less council tax. it has to be a balanced budget. so when you look at somewhere like birmingham, the first thing you have to question are the chief executive and finance officer who set the budgets, because they are supposed to set a balanced budget for the whole year. they cannot be overspent on it. something is seriously wrong. and what is wrong is the level of staffing in councils. the level of staffing in councils. the level of staffing in councils has gone up probably by as much as ten times than 40 or 50 years ago. much as ten times than 40 or 50 years ago-— years ago. this issue has been cominn years ago. this issue has been coming through _ years ago. this issue has been coming through loud _ years ago. this issue has been coming through loud and i years ago. this issue has been l coming through loud and strong. thank you for that.

live from london, this is bbc news. in the us, millions are preparing for super tuesday — one of the biggest days in the race for the white house. a un team says there is "reasonable grounds" to believe sexual violence occurred during the hamas attacks on october 7th. surprise snowfall hits northern pakistan — at least 35 have been killed. and it's welcome aboard to the three american astroanuts — and one russian cosmonaut — joining the international space station.

hello, i'm sarah campbell. welcome to bbc news. we start this hour in the united states. it is super tuesday — the biggest day so far in the 2024 race for the white house. millions of voters are heading to the polls in 15 states and one territory to choose their preferred candidates for president. the first voting will get under way in virginia in just a few hours' time. it promises to be a big day for polling, but presidentjoe biden, and former president donald trump, are almost certain to face each other again in november's election. some states had tried to exclude mr trump from the ballot, but on monday the supreme court over—ruled that. our north america correspondent emma vardy reports from a hockey game in colorado. america's getting ready for a big political contest. but despite the millions of votes being cast, it's already pretty clear which candidates will be facing off in the presidential battle.