Laura Sharman 14 September 2017

Nine out of ten councils have maintained services in past year

Nine out of ten councils said they have maintained service quality in the last year, but only one in six councils think this will continue over the next five years, new research has found.

The report, published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), found councils facing the biggest cuts up to 2020 are more likely to have concerns over the quality of services in the future.

Upper-tier councils with responsibility for social care are less optimistic about service quality than shire district councils, according to the report. Nearly three-quarters of upper-tier councils thought cuts would be evident to the public in 2017-18, compared to just 15% of shire district councils.

The report, based on surveys from the Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) and PwC, also found two-thirds of councils were unable to determine if they will gain or lose financially through the retention of business rates scheme.

David Phillips, associate director at the IFS,and an author of the report said: ‘Officials and politicians from councils that we estimate have done well out of the business rates retention system so far, and where recent economic growth has been faster, are significantly more confident that the proposed 100% rates retention scheme would benefit their council.

‘This is perhaps unsurprising. But such confidence may be misplaced. Other research shows that over the period 2008 to 2015, at least, there was remarkably little link between local economic growth and increases in the business rates tax base. In other words rapid economic growth does not guarantee good business rates performance, and vice versa.’

For a piece by the IFS' David Phillips and analysis from The MJ's Mike Burton visit The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner