Richmond and Wandsworth councils fight government funding cuts

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 11:58 · Archive

Richmond Council faces a 58 per cent cut to its core funding, while Wandsworth faces a 40 per cent reduction.

Four London councils—Richmond, Wandsworth, Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea—have formally submitted proposals to the government under the Sustainable Communities Act in response to planned funding cuts they say will force drastic service reductions and steep council tax rises.

Richmond faces the largest proportional cut, losing £29 million a year by 2028/29, around 58 per cent of its core funding. This brings the total loss for Richmond over four years to £102 million. Wandsworth faces a potential funding reduction of £84 million per year by 2029, equivalent to a 40 per cent cut.

Cllr Robert Morritt, leader of Wandsworth Council, said the council had already identified £79 million in savings and efficiencies through detailed spending reviews and difficult decisions. 'But funding cuts on this scale simply cannot be covered by efficiencies alone without severe consequences for local services and Council Tax,' he stated, adding that residents should not have to pick up the bill for changes imposed by central government.

Cllr Gareth Roberts, leader of Richmond Council, described the cuts as 'a direct assault on the services our residents rely on' and said they punish Richmond for years of responsible financial management. 'Taking away nearly 60 per cent of our core funding is reckless, unsustainable and risks pushing this council towards a financial cliff edge,' he said.

The councils are taking their case directly to the government through the formal Sustainable Communities Act process, which allows local authorities to propose alternative arrangements for their services and funding.

How it is being reported

• Richmond faces 58 per cent funding cut as councils take fight to governmentWandsworth and Richmond councils join Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea in urging ministers to halt funding cuts threatening services and council tax.This Is Local London · 28 Oct, 11:19
• Richmond faces 58 per cent funding cut as councils take fight to governmentWandsworth and Richmond councils join Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea in urging ministers to halt funding cuts threatening services and council tax.Wandsworth Guardian · 28 Oct, 11:19
• Richmond faces 58 per cent funding cut as councils take fight to governmentWandsworth and Richmond councils join Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea in urging ministers to halt funding cuts threatening services and council tax.Croydon Guardian · 28 Oct, 11:19

In this story: Richmond Council · Wandsworth Council · Westminster Council · Kensington and Chelsea Council · Robert Morritt · Gareth Roberts

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log