I have already given the figures to you, and you have the power. You have complete control of local government. Austerity measures, as I have been saying earlier—. Actually, this cut was while you left no money in the Treasury when you took over the Government. Basically—[Interruption.] Wait a minute. The Government only cut a penny in the pound, one penny in the pound, to give you—. And you are saying 'austerity' because you're wasting money. Your Government—. Local government—who controls local government? The Labour Party. You imagine: Monmouth and Blaenau Gwent. Think about those authorities. Blaenau Gwent's services to the people and Monmouth. Monmouth's reserves are still below what Monmouth got—their reserves in the banks. Why are they sitting on heaps of money? Why don't they give the public services there?

Caerphilly council is increasing by 7 per cent; Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen by nearly 6 per cent; and Blaenau Gwent by just under 5 per cent. I just told you: think about the reserves and the service they are giving. That is one of the poorest councils in the whole of the United Kingdom. Excessive council tax rises have had a devastating impact on Welsh households. The citizens advice bureaux have labelled council tax as our biggest debt problem in Wales. Local authorities have tried to ensure as much money as possible is directed to front-line services by cutting out waste and unnecessary bureaucracy, but, with statutory services such as schools and social care taking the major part of spending, local authorities have had to look at other services to bear the brunt of cuts. Deputy Presiding Officer, libraries, school crossing patrols, free car parking and leisure centres are among the services that have faced cuts in Wales, drawing widespread public opposition.

Deputy Presiding Officer, Labour has failed local government in Wales for the last 20 years. I call on the National Assembly to support our motion and deliver a better, fairer local government settlement in Wales. Thank you.