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Leader Calls For Fair Funding Of Council Services

The Leader of Borough of Poole has called for a reform of the Government’s system of funding council services at a national conference for senior figures in Local Government.

Cllr Brian Leverett, Leader of the Council, delivered a speech to delegates attending the Local Government Chronicle conference in London.

In his speech, Cllr Leverett called on the Government to deliver fairer funding and more freedom for local authorities to provide council services.

Cllr Leverett said: “Whilst accepting that there are different levels of deprivation and that relative tax bases differ across the country, as a result of the gearing effect, at one extreme a local authority receives 66 per cent of its revenue funding from Government, whilst another is the recipient of only 19 per cent. Can this be fair?

“Moreover, for some authorities the gap is ever-widening, because those at the bottom of the funding pile frequently receive a year on year increase well below the average increase. I feel very strongly that this needs looking at urgently by the Government.

“Unless this is done communities will continue to have little confidence leading to apathy in the important role that local councils can, and must play, in their communities. Government needs to produce a completely different and transparent distribution formula that all residents should be capable of understanding so that every Council is provided with adequate funds to deliver essential services. Those Councils which currently receive the lowest funding should get at least the average increase each year, otherwise their situation continually worsens.”

Ian Turner, Media Relations Officer
Tel: 01202 633295