15.08.14
Nottinghamshire CC calls for rethink on shire council ‘underfunding’
Nottinghamshire CC has called on the government to rethink its approach to funding for shire councils in the future.
The call comes after a Society of County Treasurers study revealed that, between 2008-09 and 2012-13, there was a big difference in average government grant funding for local services, depending on the type of council.
In particular, the report showed that the average annual grants to councils, per resident, was £260 for residents in shire counties and districts; £350-£400 for those in unitary councils and outer-London authorities; £500 per resident in Metropolitan Districts; and £700-plus for Inner London authorities.
Labour Cllr David Kirkham, chairman of Nottinghamshire CC’s Finance and Property Committee, said: “I appreciate that a 'one size fits all' approach to Council funding is inappropriate – every area has differing needs – but there needs to be more equality in the way services for local people are funded and a recognition that people outside London need good quality services too.
“The biggest financial challenge facing all councils right now is the cost of caring for the rapidly increasing numbers of older people with increasingly complex conditions and the number of children in care, which has doubled in the last five years.”
He added that as shire county areas traditionally lag behind other authority types for funding, current government cuts are being felt “all the more keener”.
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