THE government's cash settlement for East Lancashire councils has received a cool reception from town hall bosses.

They are unhappy ministers have opted for a one year figure for the total amount of government grant rather than a three-year forecast.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has seen its settlement rise from £58.2million to £58.6m for 2022/23 including a one million pound increase in the grant for providing adult and children's social care.

The provisional local government settlement figures are now subject to consultation.

The total sum allocated to Lancashire County Council's - which provides major services including adult and children's social care to 12 boroughs including Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale - rises from £223.1m in 2021/22 to 224.1m in the next financial year starting on April 1.

Burnley Council's settlement increases from £5.9m in 2021/22 to £6m in 2022/23 and Hyndburn Council's stays steady at £5.2m.

Pendle's settlement rises from £5.2m this financial year to £5.3m while Ribble Valley Council's figure remains at £1.4m.

Rossendale sees a £74,000 increase for 2022/23 on this year's £2.2m.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Authority sees a rise from £24.3m for 2021/22 to 24.5m for 2022/23.

Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The settlement is better than we have normally come to expect ​given years of austerity and we welcome the increase. Additional funding for adult and children’s services is welcome. Unfortunately it will not go far enough in addressing the real pressure these services face.

"Government are asking councils to raise the council tax by two per cent plus a one per cent precept which is not good for our residents.

“We are disappointed that it’s a one year settlement."

A Burnley Council spokesman said: "We're working through the details of the government settlement and how this will feed into our overall budget making process for the coming financial year."

Ribble Valley Council's Director of Resources Jane Pearson said: "The settlement is broadly in line with what we were forecasting to receive however we are disappointed to receive yet again a one year only settlement which makes long-term financial planning very difficult."

Cllr Andrew Walmsley, Rossendale Council's resources boss, said: "The provisional settlement will result in Rossendale Council's baseline funding level increasing by £74k (three per cent) in 2022/23.

"Coming after 10 years of funding cuts the provisional settlement is a small step forward."

Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, Council Leader, said: “We welcome the preservation of the New Homes Bonus funding and the one-off services grant funding.

 

“However, we’re asking government to provide us with the funding we need to cover the substantial cost and income pressures we face as we continue our efforts to balance our budget."