24.10.14
Minority of councils criticised over parish funding
Local government minster Kris Hopkins has criticised a minority of local authorities for failing to pass sufficient money down to parish councils.
He will be writing to 31 councils in particular who intend to pass none of their council tax support funding to their parishes.
However, Hopkins praised the majority of local councils who will pass millions in government grants to their parishes this year.
The DCLG stated that new figures show £31m of local council tax support funding will be handed down from billing authorities to parishes during 2014 to 2015.
Hopkins said: “I applaud the can-do councils who are collaborating with parishes by passing down the money due so they can continue to deliver a range of vital services for local people including running leisure centres, maintaining public spaces, parks and play areas and providing support for the elderly.
“The rest of this money should also be passed down and I expect billing authorities and parish and town councils to make sure this happens.”
From April 2013, council tax benefit was replaced by local council tax support schemes.
And funding for local support schemes was passed to billing authorities via the local government settlement.
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]