County council leaders have warned that they face a financial situation worse than at any point in recent years, with services at risk, if their budgets are cut in the government’s push for savings.
English councils may need to spend much more than the government has forecast when implementing reforms aimed at reducing the long-term cost of social care.
On 23 November, PF published an online report of a speech made by communities secretary Michael Gove at the County Council Network’s annual conference.
The government could ditch Local Enterprise Partnerships, after communities secretary Michael Gove outlined a preference for economic development powers to be held by elected politicians.
Around 80% of county and unitary authorities are expected to make cuts next year in order to set a balanced budget, according to a survey from the County Councils Network.
Local government minister Simon Clarke said the government’s forthcoming devolution white paper will help the country’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
Secretary of state Robert Jenrick has told local authorities he will “try his best” to secure more government funding for councils if it is needed as councils struggle to deal with financial burdens...
£500m additional Covid-19-related funding from central government is not enough to prevent cuts to local authority budgets, according to the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities.
England’s largest councils could be forced to make “large-scale reductions” in services in order to set legal budgets this year, according to a report from the County Councils Network.
The County Councils Network has called for clarity from the government on emergency coronavirus funding, as adult social care costs have soared by almost £1bn.
Blanket deferrals or non-payment of council tax could have a “serious effect” on council funding in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the County Councils Network.
Councils in England have urged the UK government to provide clarity that volunteers can support pharmacies in rural areas – to ensure medication reaches at-risk people.
Local authorities in England face a £19bn deficit over the next five years despite the vast majority hiking council tax rates in this year, analysis has found.
If the chancellor does not continue to pay temporary grants for social care next financial year councils in England will be forced to decommission services, an umbrella group has warned.
