WIREDGOV

Chairman of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, Cllr Peter Fleming, responded to Under Pressure, a report by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

“It is good that the Ombudsman recognises the significant budget and resource pressures facing councils, and the impact this has had on local services. It also rightly highlights how successfully councils have adapted and innovated in the face of huge challenges.

“Councils have done all they can to protect local services, maintain residents’ satisfaction, and have embraced efficiency and innovation in a way that is not being replicated anywhere else in the public sector. Local government is one of the most trusted parts of the public sector and councils always strive to improve and make it easier for residents to give feedback.

“However, unprecedented funding pressures and demand for adult and children’s social care and homelessness services is pushing councils to the limit. As a result less money is being spent on the other services that keep our communities running such as libraries, local roads, early intervention and local welfare support.

“With councils facing a funding gap of £7.8 billion by 2025, many are increasingly unable to provide dignified care for our elderly and disabled, protect children, boost economic growth, fill potholes, build homes and much more.

“Councils will now use this report to share and spread good practice and make improvements where they can.”

Report:  Councils mustn’t throw out the rule book in the face of pressure, says Ombudsman