Devon Council leader calls for a fundamental reform of local authority funding

The Leader of Devon County Council, Councillor Julian Brazil, says that the council will continue to call for a ‘fundamental reform’ of the funding system that decides how much funding councils get from central government.

It follows the announcement this week that the government’s plans for reform rely heavily on councils raising their council tax precepts by the maximum 5 percent to support ‘core spending’.

According to the County Council Network, the Government’s reform will mean most councils will see an improved funding deal, but that 16 councils – Devon County Council is one of those 16 – will receive a poorer deal that will require council taxpayers to supplement the shortfall.

Councillor Brazil said:

“Westminster continues to underfund local government.

“More and more of the funding relies on council tax, a regressive tax that does not reflect ability to pay.

“Multi-millionaires in London pay half the amount of council tax of local people in Devon!

“We will continue to call for fundamental reform.

“From adult social care to children’s services, especially services that support children with special educational needs and disabilities, central government ducks the issue.

“If they want growth then they need to fund our crumbling road network.

“We keep hearing about tough decisions, but these seem to centre around the most vulnerable in our society. It’s incredibly disappointing from a labour government.”

To read the full County Council Network story, please visit their website. County and rural council tax payers set to foot the bill of forthcoming government reforms to the funding system for local authorities – County Councils Network