DINERS feasted on Morecambe Bay potted shrimps, Holker venison, Lune salmon, Westmorland rum nicky and Lyth Valley damson charlotte in a celebration of local produce at the South Lakeland District Council civic dinner.

The black-tie occasion at the Netherwood Hotel in Grange-over-Sands marked the close of Coun Roger Bingham's two years as chairman, and his speech championed the cause of rural South Lakeland.

"Far too often our rural needs are viewed from an urban perspective," he told the gathering. "Thus some mandarin, who doubtless goes to work on the Tube, while glancing out of a Whitehall window on the queues of red double-deckers, must have thought it a good idea to give bus passes to senior citizens.

"Clearly this bureaucrat's eyes were oblivious to South Lakeland's situation where more than half our villages have absolutely no public transport and never ever have had any. For most of our inhabitants, a car is not a luxury but a life link."

South Lakeland's "biggest grouse" against central government was that increasing legislative demands were not matched with money to meet those extra expenses, said Coun Bingham, adding: "As we collect the council tax, it is we who get it in the neck from the understandably irate electorate."

He said SLDC's council tax increase of 11.8 per cent below the national average could not have been avoided without cutting services. The rise was to fund concessionary bus fares, compulsory waste recycling, increased National Insurance, extra planning staff and pay rises, he explained.

Coun Bingham said all of SLDC had "rejoiced" when the council tax discount for second-home owners was scrapped, and it was right to raise more money to help local people stay in their communities. Wages in South Lakeland were 20 per cent below the national average, but house prices were the dearest in the North West. It was "heartening" that 70 social houses had been built in the last few years, he added.

Coun Bingham paid warm tribute to his successor, Coun Jean Ewing, the first Labour member to hold the chains of office.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Collins thanked Coun Bingham on behalf of everybody in South Lakeland for his time, commitment and generosity as chairman, and as a councillor of 20 years. He had always been prepared to put the needs of local people first, irrespective of politics, said the MP.

May 1, 2003 15:00