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

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Partnership Co-ordinator - Voluntary & Community

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£43,545 - £52,767
Partnership Co-ordinator - Voluntary & ... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Planning Support Officer

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Up to £34359 per annum
Keep our planning service running smoothly, supporting the team that shapes the future of our borough.As a Planning Support Officer, you'll play a vit England, London, City of London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Change Communications Lead

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
£42,839-£48,226
Having come out of government intervention after two years in 2024 Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Finance Officer - Debt Collection

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Finance Officer - Debt CollectionPermanent, Full Time£25,081 to £27,653 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner