
The government has announced a £69 billion Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for councils across England for 2025-26, representing a real-terms increase of 3.5% compared to the previous year. While this may sound like a step forward, the Tonbridge & Malling Green Party believes the settlement falls woefully short of what is needed to address the growing challenges councils face and fails to instil confidence in an increasingly disillusioned public.
What the Settlement Promises
The government claims the settlement will strengthen local services and provide stability. Key elements include:
- A £600 million Recovery Grant targeting areas deemed most in need.
- £3.7 billion for social care authorities, including an uplift to the Social Care Grant to support adult and children’s services.
- £263 million for children’s social care prevention, funding Family Help services to keep children in safe, loving homes.
- Maintenance of the 3% council tax threshold, with an additional 2% for the adult social care precept.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
While the government describes this settlement as a major investment, the reality is far bleaker. Years of financial strain on local authorities mean that this funding will only keep services afloat rather than addressing the systemic issues that plague councils across the country. The Tonbridge & Malling Green Party warns that this settlement will do little to reverse the tide of public cynicism about government—both national and local.
Residents are already frustrated by stretched services, long waiting lists, and insufficient support for vulnerable groups. This settlement risks deepening those frustrations, especially as the government continues to promote plans outlined in the English Devolution White Paper – You can read our opinion on it Here. The promised benefits of devolution—such as streamlined transport systems and empowered local decision-making—become increasingly unattainable without significant investment. Instead, this settlement centralises control in fewer hands while failing to provide the funding needed to deliver meaningful change.
Tonbridge & Malling Green Party’s Perspective
Adrian Ramsay, co-leader of the Green Party, summed up the situation perfectly:
“The funding settlement is barely enough to keep councils ticking over. It does very little to ease the underlying financial stresses that local authorities are facing after years of rising costs around social care, special educational needs, and reduced government grants.” You can read the Green Party’s full statement on it Here.
The Tonbridge & Malling Green Party agrees wholeheartedly. For local councils to succeed, we need a genuine shift in priorities—one that empowers communities, invests in sustainable infrastructure, and rebuilds trust in governance. Instead, this settlement entrenches a broken system and continues to prioritise short-term fixes over long-term solutions.
The Danger of Public Disillusionment
With faith in local government at an all-time low, this funding package is likely to worsen the situation. Residents see services diminishing and infrastructure failing, yet they are asked to accept increased council tax rates with no clear benefits in sight. The Tonbridge & Malling Green Party fears that this growing cynicism could lead to disengagement and a weakening of democracy at a time when community participation is more critical than ever.
The current funding model also fails to consider the disparities across regions. For example, while more affluent areas like West Kent face their own challenges, poorer regions in East Kent will struggle even more to provide essential services. Without targeted funding that reflects local needs, the government’s promises remain hollow.
Our Call for Action
If the government truly wants to “fix the foundations” of local government, it must go beyond headline-grabbing announcements. The Tonbridge & Malling Green Party urges:
- A fair and equitable funding system that addresses local disparities and ensures all councils can deliver high-quality services.
- Transparency and accountability in how funds are allocated and spent.
- Investment in sustainable solutions that reduce waste, streamline services, and empower communities.
- An end to the centralisation of power, ensuring that local councils and residents have a genuine say in their future.
The government’s current approach will not inspire the trust and engagement needed to rebuild our communities. It’s time for bold, meaningful action—not more rhetoric.
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