William Eichler 09 June 2021

Council chiefs call for long-term funding to boost post-pandemic resilience

Council chiefs call for long-term funding to boost post-pandemic resilience  image

County council leaders argue that local authorities need a long-term funding settlement to invest in organisational resilience.

A new report from the County Councils Network (CCN) and IMPOWER has found that the ability of local authorities to quickly adapt to the daily challenges of the pandemic has been ‘testament to their willingness to grasp everyday disruption’.

However, it also argues that delivering on successful economic recovery strategies, revised budgets, and postponed service transformation projects could be challenging for councils whose workforce is exhausted by the pandemic and those with inadequate central resource to co-ordinate efforts.

Based on evidence from over 100 sector experts – including council chief executives, leaders, and senior councillors –, Riding The Waves: strengthening council resilience calls for a sufficient long-term funding settlement for local authorities in this year’s Spending Review so they are able invest in efforts to bolster resilience.

‘Local government has come out of the pandemic with its reputation enhanced and this is in no small part to the tireless work of staff across the country, with councils’ ability to adapt testament to their willingness to grasp every day disruption,’ said Simon Edwards, director of CCN.

‘Whilst facing fresh challenges every day, it has been ‘business as usual’ for many council services since the first lockdown, showcasing councils’ strong absorbative and adaptive capabilities. But 15 months on, staff who have gone the extra mile face burnout whilst horizon scanning is something some councils felt they could improve on.

‘This report is a key learning exercise from the pandemic and sets out how – and why – councils should invest in resilience from crisis events and be better prepared to predict disruption. This cannot be done on a shoestring though, which is why CCN will continue to make the case for additional funding.’

Jon Ainger, director of IMPOWER, said: ‘We are delighted to publish this report in partnership with the County Councils Network.

‘Investing in resilience is not a statutory requirement, it is a deliberate leadership choice to enable councils to deal more effectively with future disruptions and to be in a better position to operate within complexity.

‘We look forward to sharing the research findings with councils and the wider sector, and supporting councils in their journey to strengthen their organisational resilience.’

For more on the question of long-term funding check out Jon Ainger's article in The MJ (£).

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Project Manager (Regeneration)

West Yorkshire Combined Authority
£49,359 to £56,057 per annum (pay award pending) – Grade 9
With ambitious goals ahead, we need dedicated individuals who are ready to make a real impact as part of our expanding Housing team Leeds / Hybrid
Recuriter: West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerPermanent, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Information Governance Officer

Essex County Council
£28349.00 - £33351.00 per annum + pension
Information Governance OfficerFixed Term, Full Time£28,349 to £33,351 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

HR Advisor - Pay & Policy (Career Grade)

Wakefield Council
Grade 9 - Grade 10, Career Grade, 24 hours, Permanent
Are you ready to make a difference and shape policies that foster a high performing and inclusive workplace? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Leisure Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£12,013.50 - £12,202.00, Grade 3, 18.5 hours, Permanent
Are You Ready to Make a Difference in Your Community? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner