By Judith Ugwumadu | 26 February 2015
Nine out of ten senior council executives are worried about the impact of cuts on frontline services, according to a recent poll carried out by the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers.
The survey of 117 chief executives and senior managers found that the majority (92%), feared cuts in central government funding would soon be felt on service delivery.
Three-quarters (75%) of the executives polled said they expect the state of local government finance to decline, with counties being most negative.
Solace said the current anxiety among senior management in local government reflects years of spending cuts in the sector and the uncertainties around the upcoming general election in May.
Graeme McDonald, director of Solace, said the chief executives and senior managers believed that significant innovation was now a necessity.
‘Solace members see a predictable, although bleak picture ahead for local government finance. While the UK economy might be improving, the recession’s impact on public finances, and particularly local services, will be felt for years to come,’ he said.
More than four in five (84%) of the managers polled do not believe any of the main political parties have a sufficient programme of change.
The survey also highlighted the low expectations among local government senior managers of the level of help that would come from Westminster. They had hoped far more progress would have been, made particularly in health and social care integration and housing supply, but realise that most solutions will have to come from local places and communities.
‘The appetite for devolution remains strong,’ said McDonald.
‘The research paints a picture of local government under severe financial pressures, fearful of the potential future and feeling that solutions are unlikely to come from government. Given the levers to pull, local government senior managers believe a brighter future is possible but this will require a new approach across public services in the place where we live.’
