Council leader welcomes new programme to simplify local government funding

A new programme to simplify local government funding has been welcomed by the leader of North Lincolnshire Council.

Levelling-up secretary Michael Gove announced at the Local Government Association’s (LGA) annual conference that councils will have more flexibility to deliver capital projects.

North Lincolnshire Council has received more than £50m through the Towns Fund, Future High Streets Fund and Levelling-Up Fund.

Cllr Rob Waltham welcomed the plans for a “new, simper landscape for local authorities”.

He said: “The plans to create a new future for Scunthorpe have been backed by Government cash, and we are delivering a range of schemes that will make a big impact across the town.

“This announcement of greater flexibility on spending is a huge boost which will enable us to speed up delivery – a move that will be welcomed by residents.”

Mr Gove said that authorities in the pilot scheme could spend existing cash from the towns fund, levelling up fund and future high streets programmes “more flexibly” and all councils with money from these funds will have more flexibility over their projects.

He said: “They will be free to make output, outcome and funding changes up to a threshold of 30 per cent without having to seek any department approval at all.”

Further details are available here Simplifying the funding landscape for local authorities.