Austin Macauley 04 March 2016

Transition fund carve up leaves Wolverhampton feeling ‘robbed’

Analysis by the BBC has found stark differences in the levels of transition funds being provided to councils across the country.

Richmond-Upon-Thames will receive around £30 a head and is closely followed by Wokingham and Surrey – compared with an average of £5.57 across the country.

Many other local authority areas will not receive any help from the £300m of transitional funding provided by the Government to cushion the blow of long-term cuts, including Wolverhampton.

Its finance spokesman, Cllr Andrew Johnson, told the BBC: ‘Wolverhampton feels robbed not to have received a share of the transition grant.

‘We often compare ourselves to Wokingham which is much wealthier and has been much better treated throughout the austerity cuts.

‘We are the 17th most deprived local authority in the country and Wokingham is 133rd. How can it be fair that people in Wokingham are given the equivalent of nearly £27 each of this money but people in Wolverhampton not a penny?’

Councils that raise more of their own revenue via business rates and council tax have seen the biggest cuts to their revenue support grant, reported the BBC, and the transition funds have been allocated to take account of that.

Richmond’s leader Lord True told the BBC: ‘These figures must be seen in context. We were going to lose just over 48% of our grant overnight. We are still going to end up in the same place with the same loss of money, just on a different trajectory.

‘It is not a question of what we are going to spend the money on. We still have the same decisions to take, we are still looking at eight-figure cuts, but we can move from A to B in a less brutal way for the public.’

A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: ‘This long-term funding settlement for councils is fair, and ensures those facing the highest demand for services continue to receive more funding.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Programme Director – Local Government Reorganisation

Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Local Government Reorganisation Hub
£Competitive
Lead one of the most significant local government transformation programmes in England! Staffordshire / Stoke on Trent
Recuriter: Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Local Government Reorganisation Hub

Executive Director – Place and Prosperity

South Derbyshire District Council
£106,484 up to £115,687 plus an essential car user allowance is also paid.
We are seeking an exceptional Executive Director to help shape the future of South Derbyshire at a pivotal moment in its history. Swadlincote, Derbyshire / Agile
Recuriter: South Derbyshire District Council

Music Centre Instructor

North Yorkshire Council
£22,601 to £35,259
Skipton Music Centre is a lively Saturday morning centre, providing musical learning for children and adults across a range of instruments and genres. Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Wellbeing and Personal Development Lead

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 to £42,839 per annum
Help Transform Lives Through Wellbeing, Personal Development and Inclusion North Yorkshire / countywide
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Learning Facilities and Asset Officer

North Yorkshire Council
£31,537 to £34,434 per annum
Help Shape Outstanding Learning Environments for Young People with SEND North Yorkshire / countywide
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner