Finance Settlement
Local investment can reap national rewards
Sir Bob Neill feels the Budget was an opportunity to provide financial aid for councils, which in turn will help the Government deliver national policies – but has the chancellor taken the chance?
Working with Government can deliver real dividends
Collaboration with Government can achieve real results for communities and councils should not be afraid of embracing productivity, says Cllr Kevin Bentley.
A call for prioritising local economic growth
In the case of councils in financial distress income-generation through a commitment to economic development must be explored, says Nigel Wilcock.
Spending priorities are for local communities to decide
What’s the difference between a Thunderbirds puppet and the uplift in the local government finance settlement? None, both have strings attached, writes Kathy O’Leary.
Finance settlement 'a continuation of the begging bowl culture'
The local government finance settlement represents ‘a continuation of the begging bowl culture that continues on a never-ending loop’, shadow minister Jim McMahon has said.
Extra funding eases the pain for councils
Whether MPs really would have voted the finance settlement down, we will never know, says James Maker. But the letter from 46 MPs 'was undoubtedly the tipping point in the negotiations'.
The problem with productivity plans
The final finance settlement contained some welcome changes, but they are one-off repairs that don’t provide long-term, sustainable funding solutions for districts or other councils, says Ian Miller.
Gove sheds light on productivity plans
Communities secretary Michael Gove has released further details of the Government's productivity plans, including a clampdown on consultants and diversity schemes.
It’s not a bail out: it is tax-funded public services
Councils are grateful for the extra cash, says Heather Jameson. 'So thankful, I fear, the sector may be suffering from a touch of Stockholm Syndrome.'
‘Back off Gove!’
Secretary of state under fire from councils over ‘micromanagement’ of their finances.
No promise of extra funding from Rayner
Shadow levelling up secretary Angela Rayner has avoided committing Labour to providing local government with additional funding if the party wins the impending General Election.
Challenges remain following funding boost
A £600m boost to the Local Government Finance Settlement has been welcomed, but has not resolved the sector’s funding issues, the Government has been warned.
Finance settlement set for £500m boost
The Local Government Finance Settlement is to expected to be boosted by £500m, following pressure from sector lobbying and MPs.
Is it going to be giveaways or propping up councils?
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has asked Treasury staff to scout for potential cash for local government, and he received news of a fiscal windfall this week. Could that mean a boost to the settlement, asks Heather Jameson.
The Hunt for cash
The Treasury has asked an internal team of experts to hunt down potential extra cash for local government, The MJ understands.
Providing piecemeal offerings fails to fix the underlying causes
'As the public sector purse becomes tighter at a time when demand outstrips supply, a longer-term strategic style of service delivery emerges as a platform for reform', says Rob Whiteman.
It’s time for councils to politely say ‘no’
Cooperating with a Government request for details of councils’ four-day week practices would encourage an unhealthy focus on this issue, says Ian Miller.
MPs call on Sunak to boost council settlement
More than 40 MPs have called on the Government to rethink the finance settlement in a bid to rescue floundering authorities.
Time for a reset
Urban authorities have called for a swift business rates reset to help shore up ailing council finances amid further threats of bankruptcy.
Councils lobby for extra support ahead of final finance settlement
Councils have begun 2024 by urgently lobbying Whitehall over extra financial support amid widespread concern the provisional finance settlement falls far short of what’s needed.
