Fair Funding Review in the media: CCN response

CCN Latest News, CCN News 2020 | 27 January 2020

This weekend, the Fair Funding Review was featured in the national media, with a focus on the adult social care formula.

Below, the County Councils Network has today issued a statement:

Cllr David Williams, chairman of the County Councils Network, said:

“The County Councils Network (CCN) has long argued that the funding of adult social care services is unfair and that it is crucial that a new evidence-based formula better recognises the acute demographic, demand and cost pressures being felt by our member councils across the country.

 “However it is important that when we consider the potential impact of the review of relative needs and resources, no single factor is considered in isolation. The outcome of the review will be dependent on the interaction between the foundation formula, independently developed adults and children’s social care formulae, and key issues such as council tax equalisation and a new area cost adjustment.

 “When put together, we believe that councils of all shapes, sizes and political colours will benefit from a fairer distribution of resources. This ranges from authorities in the Midlands, the North, to outer London boroughs; comprising towns, cities, rural areas and coastal communities.

 “The key aspects of the reforms – such as a cost-drivers approach to measuring relative need – were strongly supported by all parts of the sector and CCN has since welcomed the review’s direction of travel. We were therefore pleased that the new administration has re-affirmed its commitment and emphasised the need for compromise in attempting to achieve as much consensus as possible.

 “Alongside this, it is important that the total quantum of resources available to local government is sufficient to support the transition to new funding arrangements. This means working with ministers to build on the recent local government settlement and delivering a further increase in funding at the Spending Review.”