10.05.13
Black holes and ringfenced budgets
The LGA has published a dire warning for central Government on the need to rearrange the funding structure for local authorities.
Budgets must be redefined if they are to be used effectively, and allow councils to continue to provide essential, but non-statutory, services. The so-called “black hole” of funding is growing wider, and it is entirely possible the Government will choose to further cut council budgets.
Local government itself is keen to move towards a more shared approach, where funding goes towards preventative and integrated services, rather than just the money-grabbing headliners of education and health.
Can these services be delivered in a different, better way, with less money? If they can, will councils be given the flexibility to try?
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