Hillingdon Council calls on government to plug local authority funding shortfall

Following many years of government underfunding, Hillingdon, like most local authorities across the country, has had to find more efficient and innovative ways of working to maintain the services residents rely on. However, as a consequence of a mixture of inflationary pressures and the growing demand for services, without key reforms to the local government funding formula this is unsustainable in the long-term.

As result, Cllr Ian Edwards, Leader of Hillingdon Council, presented a motion to the Full Council meeting on Thursday 11 July at the Civic Centre in Uxbridge, which welcomed the new government and outlined seven urgent priorities for Hillingdon. 

In response to the motion being carried, Cllr Edwards said: "It continues to be a challenging time for public services and local government across the country. It is clear the new government must embark on a fundamental review of local authority funding to address the shortfall.  

"Being the home of Heathrow airport brings many opportunities for the borough, however in recent years the council and residents have been expected to shoulder a disproportionate amount of the cost and national responsibility to support people seeking asylum. The government must address this unfair balance with a full funding package for the support provided by this council and others at major ports of entry. 

"Funding has consistently failed to keep up with inflation and demand for services, in particular the costs of delivering care to vulnerable children and adults. Additional grant funding will address this and allow us to continue to deliver services that help our residents live thriving, healthy lives."  

The motion also requested for the continuation of the ringfenced dedicated schools grant to support Hillingdon, like many other councils, to continue to deliver better and more cost-effective services for families with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). 

It was also outlined that rising costs should not be passed onto hardworking taxpayers with protection of the cap on council tax increases and the need for a local referendum being the only means to exceed the cap.  

Alongside calls for funding, the council outlined the need for local authorities to be able to continue to protect the interests of local people with greater powers over transport initiatives and planning policies.   

Cllr Edwards stated: "The extension of ULEZ was a perfect example of why councils must be given stronger powers to resist regional transport initiatives when they clearly do not serve the interests of local people. The speed at which these initiatives can be extended or amended is most concerning for the council and our residents. When thousands of low-income earners, vulnerable people, ordinary workers and small businesses face the risk of financial hardship, we must be equipped with stronger powers to protect them. 

"Local authorities across the country are also grappling with the reality that there simply aren't enough homes to meet the increasing demand and housebuilding must be prioritised. However, this must not come at a cost to our green belt land and planning policies cannot tarnish the character of any area or detrimentally impact local neighbourhoods. We will continue to ensure our rich heritage and valued green spaces are protected from development.  

"In Hillingdon, we are committed to providing our residents with high-quality homes, in safe and strong communities which has required taking innovative approaches to tackling the housing crisis, including prioritising building on brownfield sites near our town centres or repurposing land no longer fit for purpose." 

Finally, the council urged the government to put an end to the perpetual threat of a third runway at Heathrow, alleviating communities from the concerns of losing their home and unlocking the area for much-needed development.  

The council welcomes the new government and the opportunity to work collaboratively to secure the priorities of residents and the council.