In the news: Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement
Leader of Basildon Council, Councillor Andrew Baggott has written to the Borough's three MP's setting out the Council's position following the recently announced financial settlement from the Government.
In that letter, he sets out three key areas where the Government should do more to support district council's like Basildon and seeks the boroughs MP's support. These are:
- Review of future funding: it is vital Basildon Council does not lose out from changes to the distribution of funding after 2023/4. HMG must stick to its commitment to provide transitional protection.
- Sales, fees, and charges: Basildon should be supported to move towards full cost recovery for planning and licensing fees (these are currently heavily subsidised).
- Commercial investment: Basildon Council should be free to borrow and invest. Recent restrictions to PWLB lending criteria should be removed. Rather than continuing to constrain, HMG should support us to invest prudently.
The full letter is available here: Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement (PDF, 214 KB)(opens new window)
ENDS
Published on Tuesday 4 January 2022