Mark Whitehead 14 June 2022

Counties in inflation funding call

Counties in inflation funding call image
Image: pitchr/Shutterstock.com.

County councils have called for extra Government funding to cope with huge increases caused by inflation.

The County Councils’ Network (CCN) warned that without extra cash its members may be forced to cut back services, delay infrastructure projects or raise tax next year.

Research by CCN and the Society of County Treasurers showed additional spending needed to cover inflation nearly doubled from £789m to more than £1.5bn in the three months after counties agreed their budgets in March, leaving £729m of unfunded costs.

It found that record energy prices were expected to add a minimum of £107m to council costs, including £60m for streetlights and £46m for fuel and energy.

The cost of delivering capital projects is expected to be £397m higher, including an extra £211m on building new roads and pothole filling.

Adult social care services will cost £428m more, including higher fees to care providers to offset their rising bills.

CCN finance spokesperson Carl Les said councils had ‘very little scope’ for meeting inflation pressures without making cuts or proposing higher council taxes next year.

He said: ‘With inflation likely to rise even further and remain high for the foreseeable future, councils face a winter of difficult decisions unless the Government provides extra funding to offset these substantial extra costs.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£14.28 per hour plus 12.07% holiday relief pay al
Casual Duty Managers (Sports Centres)
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + +26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding TriagePermanent, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Mechanical Engineer (Gas) - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £450.0000 per day
Mechanical Engineer (Gas) Location, HarlowFull time, Temporary 6-12 Months £350.88 PAYE / £450.00 Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
£50 - £55 per hour
Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council Full-Time, Temporary 6 Months Contract 36.25 hours£50-£55 per hour Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Systems Analyst Applications

Oxfordshire County Council
£46412 - £49282
The ICT Principal Systems Analyst will be the subject matter expert on the Children's Social Care and Early Help Applications. They will be aware of and will contribute to Application roadmap developments, keep abreast of legislative changes and customer Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner