An intervention involving six of England’s Metro Mayors has led to calls for the government to further support councils that are struggling.
The mayors of Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, South Yorkshire, North of Tyne, plus Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have signed a joint letter alongside West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, that has asked for increased investment into local councils that are struggling. This comes in anticipation of the publication of the 2024 Local Government Finance Settlement which could save local authorities, or it could leave them in increased uncertainty.
Measures that have been suggested include additional financial support, as well as reforming the way that councils are funded to ensure that it is fairer and more sustainable. The argument being used by the mayors is that the costs of delivering services are rising alongside demand, this is also compounded by the fact that areas of higher deprivation are facing increased support costs.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said:
“We as Mayors have ambitious plans for our regions but we will never be able to deliver the full potential of devolution while our local authority partners are left on a financial cliff edge.
“We are seeing more demand than ever before for local public services and it is clear more urgent action must be taken.
“Councils across the country are struggling and we are urging the government to do the right thing and step in [and] take action to support them before it’s too late.”
At the beginning of December, Public Sector Executive reported that the Local Government Association discovered that nearly 1/5 of councils in England believe that they are likely to have to issue Section 114 notices without government support.
Image credit: iStock
