Welsh Government under pressure to review ‘flawed’ local government funding formula
The Welsh Government is under pressure to review its local government funding formula following questions by the Leader of the Welsh Conservatives.
During First Minister’s questions Paul Davies highlighted the inconsistencies of funding between North and South Wales authorities, and between Labour/Non-Labour run authorities, as two of the core factors that made the formula ‘fundamentally flawed’.
The Preseli Pembrokeshire AM then went on to call for a review of the formula, echoing calls from across the sector.
The questions follow weeks of turmoil for the Welsh Government after:
– A Welsh Government Minister signed an open letter with 3 senior colleagues stating their ‘disappointment’ in the local Government funding settlement.
– First Minister Carwyn Jones planned to hold a private meeting with Council Leaders from his own party following pressure to rethink the spending plans.
Speaking after FMQ’s, Mr Davies said:
“The Welsh Government’s Environment Minister is absolutely right – this funding settlement is unfair and imbalanced.
“We in the Welsh Conservative Party have been highlighting the flaws in the formula for years, so it’s welcome news that the pressure is now starting to come from within the Labour Party itself.
“The First Minister needs to commit to reforming the funding formula so that we have one that is capable of driving forward the prosperity of our nation, instead of one that continues to entrench regional inequality in Wales.
“The sector is clear, and we are clear; this settlement needs to be scrapped”.
Questions were answered by the Leader of the House – Julie James AM – in Carwyn Jones’ absence.
