Home News Residents face losing essential services as council finance crisis deepens, say councillors

Residents face losing essential services as council finance crisis deepens, say councillors

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Councillors have warned about the dire state of local authority finances in a survey published today (Thursday) by UNISON.

The vast majority (90%) say additional funding is needed and three quarters (75%) warn that their council has insufficient resources for providing essential good quality services, such as refuse collections. More than three quarters (76%) say budget cuts have affected service delivery.

The findings are based on a survey of more than 700 councillors across England, Scotland and Wales, representing all the main political parties. The research, Councils on the Brink, raises fresh concerns that more authorities could go over the edge in the wake of the ‘collapse’ of Northamptonshire County Council, says UNISON.

One in five councillors who responded are confident about the future of local services, and just one in four (26%) is confident about the financial situation of their local authority.

The crisis in adult social care was identified in Councils on the Brink as the biggest challenge for councils by nearly three quarters (73%). Just over a third (34%) of councillors believed local residents receive the help and support they need at the right time.

Services for young people are also a major cause for concern. Nearly three quarters (72%) of councillors believe individuals don’t have the necessary support, and less than two fifths (39%) believe vulnerable local residents are safe and cared for by their council.

UNISON head of local government Jon Richards said: “We’ve already seen the appalling effect of council cutbacks on workers and local communities.

“But this new insight from those at the heart of decision-making on where money is spent – and axed from budgets – is deeply concerning.

“The harsh reality facing councils every day is simply not having enough money to keep things running. The tragedy is they’re increasingly being prevented from changing residents’ lives for the better as a result.

“This desperate situation cannot continue. The government needs to act, and the Chancellor could start by announcing extra funding for local councils in next week’s Budget.”

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