Ellie Ames 28 February 2024

14 councils ‘likely’ to issue s114s next year

14 councils ‘likely’ to issue s114s next year image
Image: Asim's_bg / Shutterstock.com

More than half of councils are likely to issue a section 114 notice within the next parliament unless funding is reformed, senior local authority figures have warned.

A survey of chief executives, leaders, cabinet members for finance and section 151 officers from 128 English councils found that 74 councils (58%) are ‘likely’ to issue an s114 within the next five years.

The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) survey found that 14 councils are likely to issue an s114 in the next financial year alone.

Two-thirds of respondents said they would cut spending on services this year – up from around half in the same survey last year – including in adult social care (16% of respondents), children’s care (12%) and special educational needs and disabilities (10%).

LGIU chief executive Jonathan Carr-West described the financial situation facing councils as ‘desperate’ and ‘ruinous’, and said the number of authorities facing financial crisis shows it is ‘no longer possible to blame individual governance issues’.

He added: ‘There clearly is a systemic issue and rather than bunging local government panicked injections of cash, whoever wins the next election will need to reform the entire system, bringing back multi-year settlements based on an area’s need and developing new ways of revenue raising.’

Meanwhile, a Local Government Association survey found that two-thirds of councils will cut neighbourhood services in their 2024-25 budget.

For more on the local government financial crisis, check out our feature, Can local government take much more?

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£14.28 per hour plus 12.07% holiday relief pay al
Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + +26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding TriagePermanent, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Mechanical Engineer (Gas) - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £450.0000 per day
Mechanical Engineer (Gas) Location, HarlowFull time, Temporary 6-12 Months £350.88 PAYE / £450.00 Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
£50 - £55 per hour
Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council Full-Time, Temporary 6 Months Contract 36.25 hours£50-£55 per hour Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Systems Analyst Applications

Oxfordshire County Council
£46412 - £49282
The ICT Principal Systems Analyst will be the subject matter expert on the Children's Social Care and Early Help Applications. They will be aware of and will contribute to Application roadmap developments, keep abreast of legislative changes and customer Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner