THE deputy leader of Lancashire County Council has won a battle in the war to stop the county losing out on millions of pounds worth of Government aid.

The county is battling for changes in the way local authority grants are calculated, arguing that in the past this has taken money from Lancashire to the South East.

A review team has now been set up by the Government to look into changes to the system.

Deputy leader John West said: "It was hoped that changes would lead to a fairer system of funding but the new proposals would leave Lancashire some £20 million worse off.

"This is equivalent to between £45 and £50 council tax for band D taxpayers."

Now County Coun West has persuaded the powerful National Association of County Councils to reject the new proposals, though the final outcome of the review has not yet been decided.

He added: "We will continue to fight for a fairer settlement which will help relieve the financial pressures in areas like Lancashire."

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