Dan Peters Izzy Lepone 15 September 2025

Council leader calls for vital funding reforms

Council leader calls for vital funding reforms image
© Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

The leader of Barnsley Council has highlighted the urgency of delivering funding reforms to Red Wall areas.

Cllr Stephen Houghton warned that councils will increasingly be issuing Section 114 notices if the changes proposed by former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner are not introduced.

In an exclusive for The i, Cllr Houghton emphasised that the reforms are ‘essential’ to ensure deprived areas across the UK are supported.

He claimed that ‘there could be dire political consequences’ if improvements are not made.

The warning follows a meeting of Halton Borough Council’s executive board last week, during which councillors were informed that the local authority ‘must adopt a Section 114 attitude to all future spending plans’.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Regeneration and Strategic Project Delivery

Vale of Glamorgan Council
£82,242.00 - £91,146.00 per Year
Help shape the future of the Vale of Glamorgan. The Vale of Glamorgan (Bro Morgannwg)
Recuriter: Vale of Glamorgan Council

Graduate Programme – Project Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£31,586 (2026/7 pay award pending)
Job Title – Graduate Project Officer Salary Range - £31,586 (2026/7 pay award pending) 2 Year Fixed Term Contract Full Time- 36 Hours Location
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Shovel Driver/Plant Operative - Chelmsford

Essex County Council
Up to £28033.00 per annum
Shovel Driver/Plant Operative - ChelmsfordPermanent, Full Time£28,033 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Mid Essex (Expression of Interest)

Essex County Council
£36124 - £51834 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid
Register your interest here to be notified of upcoming Social Worker opportunities within Essex County Council's Adult Social Care services in Mid Es England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Paralegal - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £17.2500 per hour
Paralegal - Harlow District CouncilLocation, HarlowFull time, Temporary - 37 Hours per Week 2-3 Month Contract £17.25 PAYE / £22.12 Umbrella Per HourC England, Essex, Harlow
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner