‘Good news for Walsall’: Extra council funding confirmed - but warning issues for 'significant challenges'
The leader of Walsall Council has welcomed the government’s plan to ‘overhaul’ how local authorities are funded.
The new multi-year funding settlement was announced by the minister for housing, communities and local government shortly before Christmas.
The changes will result in the spending power of the Tory-led council in Walsall increasing by 28.5 per cent over the next three years, assuming a yearly council tax increase of 4.99 per cent.
Councillor Mike Bird said while Walsall Council still faces ‘significant challenges’ due to rising demand in services, the new three-year-settlement will provide greater certainty for future planning.
MP Alison McGovern described the settlement – the first in over a decade – as a ‘turning point’ for the ‘outdated way’ councils are funded.
Councillor Bird said: “The multi-year local authority funding settlement is a welcome and positive development.
“It brings good news for Walsall, with our core spending power projected to increase by 28.5 per cent over the next three years.
“There is a need for clarity and while this gives us greater certainty for future planning, we still face significant challenges due to rising demand for many of our services, particularly within adult social care and children’s services, and Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.
“Securing long-term funding is essential for councils to keep delivering local services and I’m confident that Walsall Council will continue to demonstrate strong and robust financial management, making a difference in our local community.”
