Barriers preventing progress
The barriers preventing progress that the Government can help to reduce or remove:
The approach to the local government financial settlement, with the annual determination of funding is not conducive to effective, long-term planning. A multi-year settlement would provide more certainty for local authorities and enable improved planning of resources. In addition, the monitoring and reporting mechanism of many government grant allocations is onerous and not proportionate to the level of funding awarded. It takes no account of the existing controls and audit processes in place for local government, whilst the competitive regime of bidding for grant funding is often overly complex and requires use of consultants to meet the timescale and specialisms of bid processes – also leading to those with the best bid writers being awarded grant rather than most in need.
Simplifying the local authority framework of accounting and external audit requirements will reduce the cost and create a system that is fit for purpose. Reducing the burden on local authorities in terms of the returns that are required by central government, which often overlap and duplicate each other, would allow officers to better spend their time providing fundamental services to the public. The introduction of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) promised a reduced burden on local authorities, but this has not been the case in practice.
The Local Housing Allowance subsidy rate for temporary accommodation is currently set at January 2011 levels. This is unacceptable given the requirement to use temporary accommodation and increased costs which are incurred by local councils. Suppressing the subsidy to this rate only places a huge burden on budgets. The rates also create significant issues for viability of housing delivery. The restrictions and limitations of funding to support the delivery of affordable housing has meant that projects have failed to get off the ground or are significantly delayed. This adds to the pressure on the provision of affordable housing and add cost to an already overburdened budget.
Local authorities need support to recruit and retain skills within our workforce longer term. We have engaged with the Local Government Association and central government workforce planning project aiming to improve the shortages in specific areas, e.g. lawyers, planners, building control surveyors and environmental health officers.
Promoting careers in local government would be helpful. More could be done by central government to promote and support the opportunities and careers with a more extensive programme of secondments and exchanges etc. In addition, we would welcome the government embracing and investing in a pipeline of talent for the sector through promotion, training and development opportunities and relaxing the rigidity around the use of the apprenticeship levy.
The lack of flexibility in setting fees and rates and the centralised control of fees creates additional financial burdens for local authorities. More local discretion is needed to ensure local authorities can operate on a full cost-recovery basis, without having to cross subsidise services to the public.
Kent, as the UK’s gateway to Europe, is crucial for border fluidity and security. The incoming EU entry/exit system (EES) will cause immense traffic congestion and disruption. There is limited means to manage this locally, impacting on emergency services, residents’ lives, tourism and reputation. This will not just affect Kent, but will have real economic, social and environmental impacts more broadly. We need to urgently continue to work together to mitigate these issues and minimise disruption to travellers and residents.
Meaningful, early engagement from central government is required to fully understand issues that local authorities are facing, supported by central government acting in a faster, more responsive manner, ensuring legislation is updated in a timely manner to support delivery of services.
Cllr Jim Martin - Leader of the Council Dr Susan Priest - Chief Executive