Ann McGauran 20 July 2021

Commission calls for funding re-set for local government

Commission calls for funding re-set for local government image

Local government needs a ‘funding floor’, set at an agreed percentage of national income, a report on the future of the sector has said.

Speaking as the APSE Local Government Commission 2030 launched its final report, commission chair Paul O’Brien told The MJ the proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) handed to local government should be ‘probably somewhere between six and seven per cent’.

He added: ‘We strongly believe local government has taken an unfair share of cuts through austerity over the last decade. We think a minimum threshold needs to be set.

‘We can’t have a situation ever again where it bites at the infrastructure of place at a local level because local government resources are stripped back that badly.’

The Commission’s final report issued a drastic warning to UK Governments to ‘re-set the system’ to avoid local councils failing the communities they serve.

Local by Default has found UK local authorities are facing their biggest economic, political and social challenges since the Second World War.

Alongside public policy crises in finance, adult care, housing and climate change, the Commissioners concluded the system itself was held back by a lack of powers and resources, and the centralisation of decision-making.

Commissioner Lord Gary Porter told The MJ that while implementing the final report’s recommendations ‘would not necessarily lead to devolution, it would be part of it’.

He added: ‘There’s no point in devolving lots of extra responsibilities if the system is too fractured already and if it’s too easy for incoming governments to change the remit at whim.

‘So that’s why we’ve called for a proper constitutional settlement and for our rights to be enshrined in law.’

The Commission has also called for the creation of a national linked system of pay and conditions across the public sector, removing pay gaps between equivalent jobs in local government and other public services.

Among the 29 recommendations, the Commission calls for:

• ‘National Governance Committees’ across the UK nations, which would oversee law and policy processes such as reforms and reorganisations

• In England, further structural reforms, mergers or reductions in scale to be put forward to an independent commission

• A constitutional settlement for local government

• A sustainable finance settlement with multi-year funding and an end to competitive bid funding

System reset required: go to settings

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 - £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay award pending)
Do you have a real passion for helping families to make positive changes for themselves and their children? This might be the right role for you!   WH Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Clerical Officer Receptionist

Durham County Council
Grade 3 £24,404 - £25,183 Pro Rata to hours worked Pay award pending
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking to appoint a part time Clerical officer/Receptionist within Business Services to provide a professional, effective a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administration Assistant

Durham County Council
£25,584 - £27,711 pro rata
Administration Assistant Grade 5    £25,584 - £27,711 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31 December 2025 37 hours per week, Te Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Assistant

Durham County Council
£24,027 pro rata
Support Assistant Grade 1 £24,027 pro rata Temporary – required from 1st October 2025 until 31st October 2026 Part Time, 32.5 hours Mon - Fri 9am -4pm Consett
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lecturer in Foundation Learning -Maths, English and Digital

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £34,314 - £37,938 pro rata for part-time term time working PAY AWARD PENDING
The DurhamLearn Foundation Learning programme area delivers Digital Skills, English and Maths Functional Skills.   An opportunity has arisen for a Lec Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner