Parliament yesterday approved the funding settlement for English local authorities that will see a real terms increase in available resources over the next two years and give them access to over £200 billion from 2015 to 2020 to deliver the high-quality services their local communities need.
The settlement gives councils additional financial freedoms to deliver services for their most vulnerable residents while protecting council tax payers from excessive increases in their bills.
For the coming financial year (2018/2019), North Yorkshire will have Core Spending Power of £390.7 million, an increase of £12.2 million or 3.2%.
In addition, £16 million will be made available to councils providing services in rural areas, taking the total Rural Services Grant to £81 million - the highest it has ever been and a recognition of the cost of providing local services in sparsely populated areas. For North Yorkshire, this additional funding amounts to £3.2 million.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid said:
“Parliament has approved a settlement that strikes a balance between relieving growing pressure on local government whilst ensuring that hard-pressed taxpayers do not face excessive bills. We have listened to representations made and delivered on these requests: two years of real terms increases in resources, more freedom and fairness, and greater certainty to plan and secure value for money.”
Julian Smith said: ‘This is great news for our area. I am pleased that the Secretary of State has recognised the challenges for local authorities working in rural areas, and I welcome the significant increase in spending power for North Yorkshire County Council.
