Councils need an emergency cash injection targeted at areas most in need, the County Councils Network (CCN) has said today.

In its new five-point plan for local government, the CCN is calling for emergency resource to help tackle a £5.2bn funding black hole next year.

The CCN is also calling on the Government to make a ‘cast-iron commitment’ to seeing the Fair Funding Review through to completion.

The plan also calls for the publication of the long-awaited social care green paper, with emergency funding in the interim before proposals can be rolled out. Talking about the plan, Cllr David Williams, CCN chairman-elect, said: ‘This is both pragmatic and achievable enabling the new government to hit the ground running – and which can be delivered without legislation.

’It seeks to deal with the financial uncertainty councils are facing across the country. If a year Spending Review cannot take place this year, it outlines the steps government needs to take to help close the £5.2bn funding gap facing councils, while ensuring resources are targeted on councils who face the greatest financial challenge.’