Call for urgent reform of council funding
An outdated and complex funding model is hindering councils’ ability to plan effectively and meet the growing needs of their communities, according to a new report.
finance
The importance of local government finance
LGA resources can help councillors ensure value for money.
Laying bare the financial challenges
In November, we welcomed the great and the good of the local government world to Buckinghamshire, for the County Councils Network’s (CCN’s) Annual Conference 2024. We met in Marlow under dramatically different political circumstances compared with recent history. But while it is all change in the composition of MPs in the Commons, CCN’s approach to advocacy has not changed.
Rural prosperity requires fair funding
Recent Budget announcements have left many in rural areas feeling overlooked.
Investing in prevention
The Government’s finance policy statement, published in late November, outlined its intentions for the provisional local government finance settlement for 2025/26.
Ministers don’t get it on National Insurance
My preliminary discussions with council leaders over recent weeks, ahead of February budget setting, continually brings to bear the reality of the Labour Government’s seismic increase to employer National Insurance contributions.
Local government ‘still faces precarious future’
The Government has announced an extra £1.3 billion for councils in England next year – including £600 million for social care.
Councils warn against funding reductions
Further reductions to council funding would be “disastrous”, the LGA has warned in a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of her first Budget on 30 October.
