Southampton: City council says local authorities need £4bn

Southampton City Council is a member of Key Cities, a national network that wants local government to be given greater powers and extra funding to combat the threat to essential services.

As reported, the council has escaped effective bankruptcy thanks to a £121.6m support package from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

But residents are facing a raft of increased charges, including hikes in the cost of parking permits, garden waste collections, and careline services.

The financially stricken council is also planning to sell off assets in a bid to raise £85m in the next financial year.

Southampton City Council says the next government should end the crisis facing local authorities by awarding them £4bn on the day it takes office (Image: Newsquest.)

Key Cities has published its manifesto ahead of the forthcoming general election, widely expected to be held later this year.

It wants £4bn to be distributed across the UK immediately after polling day to halt what it describes as the "collapse" of local government.

READ MORE: Cash-strapped Southampton City Council set to sell assets totalling £85m

Chairman John Merry said: "Key Cities has consistently called for more financial capacity to be granted to local authorities along with the power to allocate resources in the most beneficial way for their community.

"This need has now become more acute with many local authorities of all colours experiencing an unsustainable strain on funding and resources, placing even statutory services at risk.

"The recent Budget offered nothing to remedy the situation.

Southampton City Council says the next government should end the crisis facing local government by awarding it £4bn on its first day in office (Image: PA)

"It is crucial that whoever comes to power at the next election addresses this crisis on day one by committing to a new fair funding outcome and rethinking the relationship between national and local government.

"Local authorities should have the autonomy to drive positive change in their communities with devolved powers and funding to enable them to thrive in the long term.

"I hope all political parties will take note of our manifesto when developing their policies for the upcoming election."

READ MORE: City council escapes effective bankruptcy after being awarded £121.6m support package

Co-chairman Rebecca Long-Bailey added: "With councils up and down the country in a state of crisis, it's imperative the next administration takes decisive action to stabilise local government and ensure communities have access to the services they need and deserve."

Southampton City Council says the next government should end the crisis facing local government by awarding it £4bn on its first day in office (Image: Stephen Bath)

The Key Cities manifesto covers key areas such as council tax reform, social care funding, housing and homelessness, and net zero.

A spokesperson said: "The manifesto sets out a range of policy recommendations for the next administration.

"These address the most critically stretched areas of local government and are designed to make local authorities financially stable, mitigating long-term, unsustainable risks for national government."