NALC urges the government to fund parish and town councils adequately

This week, we urged the government to adequately fund parish and town councils so that they can make an even more significant difference to their communities.

In response to the government's consultation on local authority funding reform, we urged the government to grant mandatory rate relief on all parish and town council-owned buildings and give parish and town councils a share of business rates to enable them to reinvest such funds in community projects. We also asked the government to allow parish and town councils to apply for all relevant central government funding on the same basis as principal authorities in the future.

We have pushed for it to be mandatory for principal authorities to pass on an appropriate share of the New Homes Bonus to communities required to accept new homes. We highlighted that the government must also remove the unfairness of double taxation and ensure equitable costs and local authority services for council tax-payers in parished areas, citing that parish and town councils have tremendous potential to contribute to current housing needs as well as to potential new developments through local green infrastructure, community recreational space and buildings, youth provision and neighbourhood planning.

The consultation seeks views on determining new funding for local fire and rescue authorities. It also covers ways to reduce demands on local government and increase local flexibility, such as changes to the sales, fees, and charges landscape and funding consolidation.