It has been an extremely difficult decade for local government. With funding from central government significantly reduced, there has been little option other than to cut the amount spent on many services. In a few areas, councils have run into serious financial problems, although innovation and resilience have been hallmarks of local authorities' responses to these pressures.
Trowers & Hamlins are pleased to launch a report which looks at the future of local government and its role in the 21st century. The report under five headings – finance, protecting services, the workforce, the scale of local government, and reaching residents. In each case, the outlook is far from certain.
But the report also shows that, having perhaps fared better than expected during the past ten years, most councils can approach the new decade with some degree of confidence and continue striving to make a difference to their local communities.
To read the full report please click here.