New Homes Bonus
The prospect of a decent settlement has since been dashed
Most councils will have to make full use of the limited capacity within the council tax referendum limits, and it will be interesting to see how many approach the DLUHC to discuss Exceptional Financial Support, says Tracy Bingham.
EXCLUSIVE: Nightmare before Christmas?
The provisional local government finance settlement will be published just before Christmas, council chiefs have been told.
A clear medium-term financial plan requires certainty
Tracy Bingham wonders if many future Best Value failures will be in councils whose circumstances can be traced back to inadequate funding policy.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils in dark over new funding stream
More financial uncertainty is being piled onto councils over the distribution of a fresh funding stream, The MJ has been told.
Council tax freeze is down to prudent financial management
Years of prudent financial management have enabled Central Bedfordshire Council to balance the books, protect services and freeze council tax at a time when it matters most to residents, says Cllr David Shelvey.
Unprecedented transformation required at Cherwell
Cherwell DC must embark on transformation ‘on a scale not experienced before’ to meet budget constraints in the coming years, Local Government Association peers have said.
Let's extend tax freedoms to all authorities
If we reward failing councils with extra flexibility to raise council tax, why can’t well-run councils have the same freedoms, asks Tracy Bingham.
No settlement surprises for districts this year
Tracy Bingham and Ian Miller unpick the detail of the provisional local government finance settlement, looking at what it means for districts. Unresolved issues remain, they warn.
Fears as ministers eye rising council reserves
New Government plans to scrutinise council reserves have sparked fresh fears ministers are encouraging local authorities to ‘sail close to the wind’ with their finances.
A blueprint for finances
Following the Government’s policy statement ahead of next week’s Finance Statement, local government minister Lee Rowley says he has listened to councils and understands the challenges they face
Inflation's impact is far-reaching
Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen says that for district councils 'to remain prudent, painful decisions will have to be made, and it is discretionary services which are likely to be hit hardest'.
Deprivation should be the cornerstone of council funding
The Fair Funding Review presents a huge opportunity to get ‘levelling up’ back on track, says Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton.
Districts call for new homes bonus certainty
District councils have called for long-term certainty over the future of the dwindling new homes bonus (NHB).
This provisional settlement makes the job of districts harder
The Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement falls short of what district councils need and leaves funding gaps that undermine the ability to deliver essential services, says Cllr Sharon Taylor.
This settlement is very much a stop gap
Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton of SIGOMA says a ‘stopgap’ settlement with a welcome funding boost needs to be followed by a fair funding review that supports the Government’s levelling up agenda.
The problems with the finance settlement
Ian Miller examines the risks and uncertainties for districts in the provisional settlement, and lists the uncomfortable topics he says ‘cannot be avoided for much longer’.
Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig need to cut Peppa Pig some slack
Did the secretary of state Michael Gove signal last week that some functions or powers are going to be stripped away from districts and gifted to elected mayors, asks Ian Miller.
We now need certainty on cash in the medium term
We've had the Spending Review, but for Dan Bates, having certainty in the medium-term is just as important as the allocations themselves. He adds: 'That certainty extends to New Homes Bonus and business rates growth reset.'
Cash is welcome but not the only answer
The funding for local government revealed by the chancellor in last week’s Spending Review is welcome – but it does not come close to addressing the financial woes of districts, says Cllr Sharon Taylor.
The power of quiet diplomacy
Outgoing chair of the District Councils’ Network, Cllr John Fuller, talks to Martin Ford about his legacy. He says districts showed their mettle during COVID and are best placed to deliver the levelling up agenda.