Laura Sharman 05 September 2019

Fair Funding Review delayed until next year

The Fair Funding Review and 75% business rate retention will be delayed until 2020-21.

Following yesterday's Spending Round, local government secretary Robert Jenrick said: 'I recognise that these reforms are very important, however the priority in the short-term is clearly to provide the certainty that councils need to be able to set budgets for next year.'

The County Councils Network (CCN) said the delay was 'disappointing but understandable'.

Cllr David Williams, chairman-elect of CCN, said: 'The County Councils Network (CCN) has already set out that due to the need for short-term certainty and the current situation in Westminster, it would be willing to accept a one-year delay in these reforms in return for a commitment to implement the review as soon as practicable.

'We are therefore pleased that councils have been reassured by the Secretary of State that these reforms are very important and confirms the government’s intentions to implement them by 2021/22. This is the reassurance we have sought from ministers and we will now work with them to publish the final proposals, which so far have made good progress.

Dr Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of LGiU said: 'In terms of clarity about how local government is to be funded sustainably in the future, we are no clearer today than we were yesterday. We still don’t know the outcome of the Fair Funding Review. We still don’t know how business rate retention will work.

'This Spending Round provides funds for services. And while that is better than not funding services it is not as good as funding local government.'

Under the Spending Round, local government core spending power will increase from £46.2bn in 2019/20 to £49.1bn in 2020/21.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Housing Options Manager

West Northamptonshire Council
Salary Band 9
What will you be doing?
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Clinical Practitioner (CYP Mental Health) - (CYP - PT Trainee ASC / LD Modality)

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Starting salary of £46,206 per annum
Clinical Practitioner (CYP Mental Healt... Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

School Crossing Patrol Officer - Kingston Primary School

Essex County Council
Up to £13.00 per hour
School Crossing Patrol Officer - Kingston Primary SchoolPermanent, Part Time£13.00 per hourLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

AMHP Senior Social Worker

Essex County Council
£46574 - £56027 per annum
This role involves working a condensed week (37 hours per week across 4 weekdays). There is an expectation that the successful candidate will be base England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Team Manager - Targeted Early Help

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£51,540 - £62,451 per annum
Team Manager – Targeted Early Help
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner