Cash-strapped council 'to appeal' government settlement and ask for 'appropriate' funding
Shropshire Council will appeal its government funding settlement, arguing it doesn't adequately account for the challenges of being a rural authority.Summary
Shropshire Council is challenging its recently published multi-year financial settlement from the central government, despite an apparent increase in core spending power from £354.8m in 2024/25 to £402.9m in 2028/29. The council contends that this increase is predicated on a 4.99% annual council tax rise, amounting to £61.5m, while other core funding actually decreases by £13.4m. Cheryl Sedgley, strategic finance manager, explained that the government’s “fair funding review” failed to fully reflect the increased costs associated with rural service delivery, particularly applying a remoteness adjustment only to adult social care. Interim chief executive Tanya Miles highlighted that urban councils are projected to receive 41% more funding per capita than rural councils, placing a greater burden on Shropshire Council to raise revenue through council tax. Council leader Heather Kidd stated that local MPs, including Helen Morgan and Julia Buckley, are supporting the council’s appeal, and the council anticipates a response from the government early next month.
(Source：Shropshire Star)