The continuing crisis in Northamptonshire

UNISON members in Northamptonshire will be keeping a sharp eye on the county council when it meets today in its second attempt to pass a budget for 2018-19. The council’s scheduled meeting last Thursday (22 February) wasn’t able to discuss the budget after auditors KPMG issue a legal warning letter that it “may not lawfully continue” with its “decision-making process for setting a budget for 2018-19, and its precept for 2018/19”. Because the budget plans did not balance, relying on selling land and buildings, the auditors warned that this would breach the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the 1992 Local Government Finance Act. Proposals from the council’s cabinet, which will be discussed today, are for an extra £9.9m of cuts on top of the £29.3m of “savings” for 2018-19 which had already been proposed. These include: closing 21 of 36 libraries; cutting trading standards services by 42%; cutting skills and jobs funding for vulnerable teenagers by £500,000; cutting grants to local charities by £600,000; not paying a proposed 2% pay rise for staff. Earlier in February, the council issued a so-called Section 114 notice to staff, banning most new spending. The notice, thought to be the first one issued in 20 years, will remain in force until the end of the financial year on 31 March. Next year’s budget must be set by 11 March, while council tax must be set by 1 March, which is why there will be an extraordinary meeting to discuss new proposals...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article councils cuts to local services local government local government and financing local government cuts Save Our Local Services Source Type: news