Individual councils in England have this week had their funding allocations confirmed following Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick’s announcement of £1.6 billion in additional funding.
The £1.6 billion funding, recently announced, means councils in England will be provided with over £3.2 billion to deal with the immediate impacts of coronavirus.
The announcement sees over £14 million go to Devon County Council and almost £1 million to North Devon Council. This is based on population and an assessment of the challenges they are facing.
During the pandemic, councils are playing a crucial role and this extra funding will help them to continue to deliver frontline services and support to those who need it most, as well as meeting new pressures.
Their work includes getting rough sleepers off the streets, supporting clinically vulnerable people and providing assistance for our public health workforce.
The split of funding between county and district councils also reflects the financial pressure being felt by councils as a result of residents doing the right thing and staying at home, rather than using services including car parks and leisure facilities. A clear majority of district councils will now receive more than £1m of additional funding to ensure they are fully supported.
North Devon MP, Selaine Saxby said:
I am delighted to see the important work North Devon Council be recognised in this allocation and I hope will be provide the Council with reassurance that their important work will be supported and that government does recognise the loss of income they have experienced from business rates and parking charges for example.
This week has also seen Ministers announce that tips are to re-open and I very much look forward to this being rapidly addressed by Devon County Council to reduce the number of bonfires which are disrupting some neighbourhoods during the lockdown.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Council teams who have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic.
Local Government Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:
Councils are playing a central role in our national fight against coronavirus and the government continues to back them at this challenging time.
That is why I have announced an extra £3.2 billion of support for councils to help them to continue their extraordinary efforts.
I am setting out how the latest £1.6 billion of this will be allocated to councils in the fairest way possible, recognising the latest and best assessment of the pressures they face.
The government has confirmed the funding will not be ringfenced, recognising councils are best placed to decide how to meet pressures in their local area. In particular, we are backing local district councils.
The Government will continue to work with councils on the best approach to the next financial year, including how to treat accumulated business rates growth and the approach to the 2021-22 local government finance settlement.
(Image: Selaine Saxby meeting with Robert Jenrick in early February)
