Can Richmond Council raise anymore money?

Richmond Council's Deputy Leader, Geoffrey Samuel has met with a Government Minister to express concerns about low funding issued to the borough.

On December 19th the Government announced the funding that Council's would receive in 2013/14. Richmond's allocation included a further seven per cent cut on previous years.

The current allocation for Richmond upon Thames is one of the lowest in the country.

Unlike most other Councils around the country, Richmond has historically only received about 20% of its non-Education funding from the Government, in comparison with other boroughs that receive up to 70%.

Following the meeting, Cllr Geoffrey Samuel, Richmond Council Cabinet Member for Finance, said: "The new system of funding does have a number of positive announcements, which of course we welcome."

"These include the changes to the calculation for the Business Rate baseline, the new Freeze Grant and additional money for our new health responsibilities.

"However, despite being one of the most efficient and low cost authorities in the country- and despite several years of Council Tax freezes- our residents still pay one of the highest Council Taxes in the country.  The new funding formula fails to recognise needs of the borough."

"There are a number of issues I have asked the Minister to consider, including sympathetic treatment for our request for Capital Funding and to review a system that means that this Council – unlike many councils- will receive no inflation proofing next year.

"Richmond upon Thames continues to fair poorly in Government grants whereas we recognise what the Government has done to help, there is still gross unfairness that needs to be addressed."  

"We are facing unprecedented economic challenges and we look for greater Government support as we continue to protect all our front line services."