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

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 Ri...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: News Press release council cuts councillors councils on the Brink Jon Richards local authority finances local communities Source Type: news