Councils are seeking a ‘long-term solution’ as internal drainage boards (IDB) warn increasing energy costs will pile further pressure on local authority budgets.
The Government last month announced £3m of one-off funding for 15 local authorities most impacted by the increase in IDB levies but ministers have ‘made it clear that this support is exceptional and one-off in recognition of the exceptional rises in energy and fuel costs this year’.
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove has said the Government ‘will not provide additional grant to local authorities for these levies on an ongoing basis’ but affected councils have vowed to continue lobbying.
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