OXFORDSHIRE COUNCIL LEADERS CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO HELP EASE FUNDING PRESSURES

Oxfordshire councils have called on the Government for better financial support – not only for their continued Coronavirus response, which will become more significant and expensive in light of the second lockdown announcement, but also to ensure there is enough funding for councils to provide their day-to-day services for communities in the longer term.

In a joint letter to Robert Jenrick MP – Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Oxfordshire council leaders laid out the urgency of securing additional financial help for the communities and businesses they support.

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the finances of the councils, which have all had to re-forecast or revise their budgets to reflect the increased expenditure and lost income that Coronavirus has caused. The councils state that this situation cannot continue indefinitely without impacting front-line services.  

Cllr Sue Cooper, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “The enormous level of community and business support we’ve provided wasn’t optional – we couldn’t just sit by and do nothing, and we need the government to recognise the impact this vital work has had on our finances.

“We need a long term, sustainable financial settlement for our councils so we can continue to provide all the services our communities need.”

On 29 January 2021 Robert Jenrick MP sent a response to the joint letter he received from Oxfordshire leaders in November 2020.