Kirklees Council: What £146m funding settlement really means for Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Batley

Kirklees Council’s Chief Financial Officer clarified the details of the government’s £146m funding settlement at a meeting on January 16. While local MPs initially welcomed the £146.3m boost over three years, the reality is more nuanced. The £146m figure represents the government’s “Core Spending Power” (CSP), which includes central funding, locally raised revenue (Council Tax and Business Rates), and grants. The council anticipates a 4.99% Council Tax increase annually, accounting for roughly half of the £146m.

Despite this, Kirklees is performing better than many other local authorities, with an 8.1% increase in CSP compared to a national average of 5.7%. Councillor Charles Greaves questioned the framing of the settlement as a “gift,” pointing out that much of it relies on increasing Council Tax paid by residents. Chief Executive Steve Mawson acknowledged the need for careful interpretation of the CSP figure, while Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, Cllr Graham Turner, hailed it as a “real increase” and a “step change” in government funding.

Ultimately, the council expects approximately £30m in additional funding over the next three years, but it’s crucial to understand that this is not equivalent to the headline £146m figure, which includes projected Council Tax increases.

(Source：Yorkshirelive)