27 January 2017

Councils facing £5.8bn funding gap by 2020 warn town hall chiefs

The financial settlement will leave two-thirds of councils millions of pounds worse off in 2017/18 - with 201 districts pushed towards ‘financial tipping point’ - council leaders have warned today.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling on the Government to reverse unexpected reductions in New Homes Bonus (NHB) payments to councils and find 'genuinely new money' to properly fund social care.

Analysis by the LGA also showed that 57 social care authorities will lose more in New Homes Bonus than they gain in the Adult Social Care Support Grant.

The research found councils would need to achieve growth of greater than 0.4% before they receive any NHB payments.

Lord Porter, LGA chairman, said: ‘No new money from central government is being provided to councils in 2017/18. In fact, more than two thirds of councils will actually be worse off next year than they were expecting.

‘Councils need government to reverse New Homes Bonus cuts next year and fund the Adult Social Care Services Grant with new money. This would avoid councils from having to make deeper than expected cutbacks to local services in 2017/18 and would provide some short-term support to councils providing social care.’

Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat shadow health secretary, said that local councils are being 'gradually starved of cash'.

'If these cuts go ahead, vulnerable elderly people will suffer and services will struggle to meet basic needs such as washing, dressing or getting out of bed,' he said.

For more on this story visit The MJ (£).

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Graduate Trainee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

North Yorkshire Council
£25,183 - £30,559
Could you help us deliver Electric Vehicle infrastructure to support this new transformation mode of transport. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Contracts and Strategy Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£41,442 - £44,331
Royal Greenwich is on the up! Having achieved a 3.8% increase in our recycling rate this year Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Developer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£52,584 - £69,068
Royal Greenwich is a vibrant borough, with a rich history and diverse community. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

SEND Operations Assistant - 2 year FTC

Essex County Council
£25081 - £26679 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
SEND Operations AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 to £26,679 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E SCP 18-25 (£30,559 - £35,235 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled individual to join our Welfare Rights Team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner