Commenting on the publication of the Welsh Government’s provisional Local Government Settlement, laying out how the Welsh Government will fund local councils next year, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minster for Local Government, Housing and Communities, Mark Isherwood MS, said:
“It is disappointing that the Welsh Government has missed an opportunity to set out a clear plan for supporting our local councils, but instead continues to blame the UK Government for their failings. During the pandemic, the Welsh Government chose not to give the extra support they received after the UK Government substantially increased funding for council in England, directly to councils but decided to make councils apply for the additional support.
“The Welsh Government has received £5 billion extra this year to combat Covid-19 from the UK Government, with £1.8 billion currently unspent and unallocated, and will be provided with an extra £1.3 billion next year for them to spend how they wish.
“Whilst I welcome that some councils are receiving a larger share of Welsh Government funding this year, it does not make up for the years of underfunding by the Welsh Government and the additional challenges rural councils have compared to the cities. Crucially we would have introduced a funding floor for councils this year as some councils, such as Ceredigion and Wrexham, are being particularly disadvantaged compared to others.
“We will continue to campaign for fair funding for local government to deliver the services that people need across Wales, especially here in North Wales where the average increase in lower than elsewhere across Wales. I am saddened that the Welsh Government has chosen not to build local government back better following the pandemic, especially after councils have gone above and beyond during Covid-19 to continue providing the services we rely on in such difficult circumstances.”
