Money for Local Councils

I have asked the Secretary of State to explain the financial settlements for Wokingham and West Berkshire. The Councils think they have a bad settlement and I will publish their critique of these proposals and take this matter up as soon as I have their response. I reproduce below the analysis from the government  letter:

Wokingham will have total resources available of £108.9 million in 2016/17, £107.6 million in 2017/18, £107.4 million in 2018/19 and £109 million in 2019/20 compared with £111.4 million in the current year (on a like for like basis).

This represents a change of -2.3% by 2016/17 and -2.1% by 2019/20.  This includes an increase of £7.4 million by 2019/20 in funding for Adult Social Care from the package announced at the Spending Review (assuming the council takes up the full 2% precept).  The 2016/17 figure includes a New Homes Bonus allocation of £4.8 million, of which £61,950 comprises an affordable homes premium.

As of 31 March 2015, £39.5 million was held in unringfenced reserves.

West Berkshire will have total resources available of £112.6 million in 2016/17, £111.8 million in 2017/18, £112.3 million in 2018/19 and £114.5 million in 2019/20 compared with £115.1 million in the current year (on a like for like basis).

This represents a change of -2.2% by 2016/17 and -0.5% by 2019/20.  This includes an increase of £7.3 million by 2019/20 in funding for Adult Social Care from the package announced at the Spending Review (assuming the council takes up the full 2% precept).  The 2016/17 figure includes a New Homes Bonus allocation of £4 million, of which £26,950 comprises an affordable homes premium.

As of 31 March 2015, £14.6 million was held in unringfenced reserves.

Berkshire Fire Authority will have total resources available of £32.5 million in 2016/17, £31.9 million in 2017/18, £32.2 million in 2018/19 and £32.8 million in 2019/20 compared with £32.9 million in the current year (on a like for like basis).

This represents a change of -1.3% by 2016/17 and -0.2% by 2019/20.

As of 31 March 2015, £8.4 million was held in unringfenced reserves.