DEPUTY leader of St Helens Council, Mike Doyle has described a top-level meeting with Shadow Ministers in London as "encouraging."

Senior councillors and officers from across the five district councils on Merseyside were in Whitehall to meet with Frank Dobson, Shadow Minister for Local Government. It followed the call by leaders of the five authorities for a fairer distribution of Government funding.

Said Councillor Doyle: "It's not a case of asking for more money but for a fair share of local government finance across all authorities and not just some in the south who get massive grant aid."

The Shadow Minister revealed that he was conducting a review of the way councils are funded and was seeking a fairer distribution of cash.

Currently the five councils across Merseyside are short-changed by a massive £50 million a year. St Helens alone loses out on at least £8 million in grant. And the figures have been backed up by independent reviews - including three from the Government.

"Our viewpoint was well received and we were told that Mr Dobson would be opposing this year's grant settlement when it comes up for discussion in the House of Commons," added Councillor Doyle. "Our message is clear, we just want our fair share, not a penny more, not a penny less."

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