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Your weekly update of London local government issues

08 Feb 23

Local Government Finance Settlement

With MPs due to discuss the l ( [link removed] )ocal government finance settlement for 2023 to 2024 ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) later today (Wednesday 8 February), London Councils has set out its key priorities for ensuring local services have adequate funding for taking on the capital’s challenges. While the settlement will deliver a funding uplift to boroughs, London Councils is highlighting the following concerns:

High inflation and increased demand for council services – including from residents struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis – mean London boroughs will still need to make £100 million of savings in 2023/24 to balance their budgets.Given the cost-of-living pressures facing residents, it is disappointing that a third of the total funding increase available depends on boroughs raising council tax to the maximum permitted level.The funding uplift from the government follows a period of significant reductions. London boroughs’ overall resources will still be 18 per cent lower in real terms compared to 2010/11, even though population growth means there are around 800,000 more Londoners using local services.Short-term funding arrangements undermine boroughs’ ability to invest strategically. The 2023/24 funding settlement for councils is the fifth single-year settlement in a row, which makes it harder for boroughs to assess what resources will be available for services beyond this timeframe.     

Chair of London Councils, Cllr Georgia Gould ( [link removed] ), said: “Boroughs play a vital role in supporting Londoners through the cost-of-living crisis, but for too long have been hampered by inadequate funding and a lack of long-term planning from central government. The entire system needs urgent reform.

“London faces a wide range of major challenges. Giving boroughs better funding tools is essential for investing in local services and enabling us to make faster progress in reducing poverty, driving inclusive economic growth, tackling climate change, and supporting Londoners’ other key priorities.”

You can read our ( [link removed] )briefing sent to London MPs here ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ).

Children's Services Strategy

Responding to the  ( [link removed] )government's long-term strategy to fix children's social care ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) London Councils has welcomed the strategy’s emphasis on early intervention, joined-up help for struggling families, and expanding councils’ social care workforce.

However, with councils in London collectively overspending on children's social care budgets by around £200 million a  year, ( [link removed] )London Councils’ Executive Member for Children & Young People, Cllr Ian Edwards ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] ) has warned that funding remains a "major concern".

“Vulnerable children in London and across the country deserve high-quality social care that will not only keep them safe but help them thrive", he said. "A sustained growth in investment for local services will be essential for making these ambitions a reality and we look forward to working with ministers to help ensure this happens.”

Chief Executive changes

The London borough of Brent has appointed current Lewisham chief executive Kim Wright to become its new chief executive, subject to the approval of full council

Kim will replace Carolyn Downs, who announced her intention to step down as chief executive at Brent last year. Carolyn will leave the council in April.

Tower Hamlets has announced that current chief executive Will Tuckley will leave by mutual consent on 2 March, subject to agreement at full council.

Resident Participation Innovation 

The London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI) yesterday hosted an Innovation Day for members to discuss, share practice, and identify next steps for resident participation in London. You can find highlights of the day on Twitter, ( [link removed] )#LOTIxParticipation ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

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Media round-up...

DLUHC releases final local government finance settlement with an extra £29m
( [link removed] )LGC ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Children’s Social Care Strategy to provide workforce support
( [link removed] )Government Business ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Richard Derecki: Childcare costs in London are increasing and the system looks past tweaking
( [link removed] )OnLondon ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Number of problems in social housing ‘only seem to be getting bigger’, campaigner warns 
( [link removed] )Evening Standard ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Councils still vulnerable to online attacks, MPs told
( [link removed] )LocalGov ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

'Vast majority’ of social housing free from mould
( [link removed] )The MJ ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

London Recovery Board work to continue into post-Covid times, Assembly hears
( [link removed] )OnLondon ( [link removed] ) ( [link removed] )

Useful resources

Help with cost of living ( [link removed] )

Support for Ukraine ( [link removed] )

Covid data and advice ( [link removed] )

Freedom Pass ( [link removed] )

Taxicard ( [link removed] )

Parking Services ( [link removed] )

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( [link removed] )You can now also follow London Councils  ( [link removed] )
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Comments or queries? Email the editor ( [email protected]?subject=Key%20Issues%3A )

visit londoncouncils.gov.uk ( [link removed] )

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London Councils is the collective of local government in London, the 32 boroughs and the City of London.We also run pan-London services like Freedom Pass and Taxicard. 59½ Southwark Street, London SE1 0AL | [email protected] ( [email protected] )

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