There has been a lot of focus recently on oversight of councils, in light of serious financial failings at some councils, including Thurrock, Croydon, and Northamptonshire – all of which resulted in formal intervention from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
The Government should make the Household Support Fund permanent and more flexible so councils can help residents in the greatest need, the LGA has said.
Local auditors gave opinions on only 12 per cent of local government bodies’ 2021/22 financial statements by the statutory deadline, according to a report from the National Audit Office.
Government proposals to increase local government core spending power by 9.2 per cent in 2023/24 will help councils manage inflationary and other cost pressures, the LGA has said.
A new support package for refugees, announced in December, includes increased ‘thank you’ payments for longer-term hosts of Ukrainian arrivals and a £500 million fund for councils to acquire housing stock for those fleeing conflict.
Vital investment plans to boost business, support communities and regenerate high streets have been approved by the Government, following an LGA warning that projects were at risk because of continual delays.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all first readers a belated happy new year, and I hope that you had an enjoyable and restful festive break.
Everyone in local government knows people are hungry for more power over their own lives and more control over the places they live.
Days before Christmas, the Government published its provisional local government finance settlement, setting out the details about local government spending in the coming financial year.
