Three-year council funding plans launched

An initiative to improve the financial stability of local authorities was announced by the government today.

The initiative would mean a three-year funding settlement to help local councils plan for the long term.

Local government minister Phil Woolas said: “The move to three-year settlements will provide greater financial certainty and stability for local government, council tax payers, businesses and other local partners.”

The government also announced a consultation process on a new review of the formula used to calculate how money is distributed to local authorities. The review would look at how demographic and other changes should affect the way money is distributed.