We have been making efficiency savings in our councils, putting up council taxes and charges, and doing innovative ‘invest to save’ projects.
Income tax is collected just the same, but the amount coming back for local services is too low for us to adequately support our residents, places and spaces.
A settlement that is the same as before, while we are pummelled with inflation and cost-of-living pressures, is really a backwards step – and it continues to rely on raising council tax by the maximum amount allowable.
The LGA strongly makes the case for the need for adequate funding through its modelling and forecasts, setting out the £4 billion funding gap over the next two years – but empirical evidence doesn’t seem to matter to this Government.
Without sufficient funds, services that our communities need and rely upon are put at risk, and, for some, will have to be reduced. We are seeing capital ‘invest to save’ projects being put on hold, causing a longer-term deficit.
A key point that our members have made during discussions on the LGA’s proposed Local Government White Paper is the importance of longer-term financial certainty and multi-year settlements, so councils can properly plan – otherwise, the focus is inevitably on the yearly last-minute quantum from government, which is riskier and more inefficient.
We had an excellent Independent Group Annual Conference at the end of November – held for the first time over two days at Wyboston Lakes in Bedfordshire – with the largest ever number of you attending.
“Without sufficient funds, services that our communities need and rely upon are put at risk”
We were very pleased to hear from Cllr Adam Zerny, as the new Independent Leader of Independent-run Central Bedfordshire Council, and Cllr Lara Davenport-Ray, as the local Green Party ward councillor.
We also heard from the Teal Independents in Australia, Independent elected Mayor of North Tyne Jamie Driscoll, and Professor Colin Copus on devolution, and developed ideas on artificial intelligence, special educational needs and disabilities, housing, climate change and green investments, and much more.
We look forward to growing our annual conference further and welcoming even more of you in 2024!