BOURNEMOUTH council’s leader was among the signatories on a letter calling for more government funding.

Cllr John Beesley was among more than 150 names added to a letter from the Local Government Association (LGA) asking chancellor George Osborne to put local government “on a sustainable financial footing” when he announces his 2015/16 spending round on June 26.

The letter warned that cuts imposed during this government “cannot be repeated without it having a serious impact on local services and people”.

And the letter called for health and schools budgets to incorporate local services and devolve budgets “away from Whitehall”.

Cllr Beesley said he “would always take the opportunity to do what’s in the best interests of Bournemouth”.

But he distanced himself from the LGA’s recent warnings that libraries, children’s centres and sports centres would have to be closed if more cuts are made.

He said a total of £30million had been cut from Bournemouth over the last four years but due to savings made there are no plans to cut front line services.

“Responsibilities with health and schools are changing,” he said.

“We need to be certain we don’t end up with a lot more responsibilities and cost without the funding stream following.”