District councils respond to Government funding announcement

“Plummeting income as a result of the pandemic has left many district councils on the edge so this initial tranche of extra funding is much-needed.

“Districts have been hardest hit by shortfalls in income and we welcome that the extreme losses of income for councils from parking, leisure and trading services have been recognised for the first time with a formula based approach.

“But taken in the round for the areas hit hardest, the formula and this tranche of funding falls short of addressing the significant financial pressures that these councils continue to face. And there is still considerable uncertainty about next year’s budgets, decisions about which must be taken now.

“District councils are ready to play a leading role in helping the country recover, and it is crucial that to sustain services that they receive the necessary amount of this funding.

“Now we need the government to follow this announcement by giving councils long-term financial certainty, so they can continue tackling the most important frontline issues such as reducing homelessness, collecting waste, keeping leisure services running, and growing the local economy.

“This will be vital for enabling councils to plan strategically for the delivery of services that improve lives and grow local economies in the absolutely critical months ahead.”