Inflexible Local Authority Funding
18 items
2 sources
Over-reliance on bid-based, inflexible funding mechanisms for local authorities, preventing them from effectively addressing local needs.
Cross-Source Insight
Inflexible Local Authority Funding has been flagged across 2 independent accountability sources:
3 inquiry recs
15 PFD reports
This issue has been identified by multiple independent accountability bodies, suggesting it is a recurring systemic concern.
Inquiry Recommendations (3)
P2-46 — Local authority funding for security expedited
Recommendation: There must be a process to ensure that, where there is a requirement for funding to strengthen mortuary security, it is expedited and considered at the highest levels within the local authority.
Gov response: The Government has agreed to accept in principle this recommendation subject to further work to determine its full impact.
Accepted in Part
In progress
MAI-159 — Consider funding arrangements for police services
Recommendation: The Inquiry heard evidence that the impact of public funding cuts fell disproportionately hard on metropolitan police services, such as Greater Manchester Police, compared with non-metropolitan services. In the event that public funding cuts are in the future considered necessary …
Gov response: The Home Secretary made a written statement to Parliament on 3 November 2022 following publication of Volume 2, acknowledging the findings on emergency response failures and stating the government would work with emergency services to …
Accepted
Delivered
RHI-20 — Flexible Expenditure Rules
Recommendation: Public expenditure rules should be sufficiently flexible so that false economies can be avoided. In order to deliver a policy objective, Departments should not be required to choose a more expensive option in overall terms because they cannot use the …
Gov response: [Note: The NI Executive responded to recommendations 19-23, 29-33 together as a group under the 'Governance and Financial Controls' theme.] Accepted with note that public expenditure in NI is governed by UK Budgeting rules set …
Accepted
Delivered
PFD Reports (15)
Barry Myers
Concerns: Insufficient funding prevents the provision of urgent mechanical thrombectomy services between 4 pm and 8 am at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
Responded
Joanita Nalubowa
Concerns: Rigid Mental Health Act aftercare criteria lack flexibility, preventing suitable accommodation for patients whose historical residences are inappropriate, risking future harm by limiting discretion in placement decisions.
Overdue
Martyn Stringer
Concerns: A severe and frequent lack of suitable beds for compulsory mental health detention prevents patients from receiving critical care, with beds sometimes denied due to anticipated demand.
Responded
Colin Waterhouse
Concerns: Inadequate support services and an inaccessible digital bidding system for social housing left a palliative care patient in unsuitable accommodation, negatively impacting his wellbeing.
Overdue
Ian Dixon
Concerns: A lack of policy governing interaction between the Council and Stockport Homes means urgent equipment requests and repairs are not reviewed, risking delays and uncompleted works.
Responded
Lauren Bridges
Concerns: Underfunding for local mental health beds and reliance on independent providers caused delayed discharges for out-of-area patients. Fragmented IT systems and inconsistent processes created significant communication failures.
Responded
Mary Jones
Concerns: Persistent and unacceptable ambulance delays, compounded by patient offload issues at emergency departments, are linked to a lack of local authority involvement in addressing social care deficiencies affecting patient flow.
Overdue
Emlyn Roberts
Concerns: Unacceptable and persistent ambulance delays, a problem worsening over ten years despite previous reports, demonstrate inadequate cohesive planning for both short-term pressures and long-term solutions.
Overdue
Matthew Dale
Concerns: Confusion between multiple agencies regarding care terms, funding, and provision led to a mismatch between Matthew's expected and actual care, hindering proper support for his complex needs.
Overdue
Pauline Keen
Concerns: A lack of formal communication policy between KMPT and Kent County Council AMHP service caused delays in processing Mental Health Act applications.
Overdue
Jack Postle
Concerns: The maternity unit suffered from insufficient capacity for safe care, and consultant guidance inappropriately limited the availability of caesarean sections following failed inductions.
Responded
James Wheeler
Concerns: There is a critical lack of national guidance for monitoring refractory epilepsy, particularly for assistive technology. Additionally, a local authority failed to consistently conduct legally required annual Care Act reviews due to resource constraints.
Responded
June Russell
Concerns: The junction has a persistently high injury collision rate, requiring urgent improvements to signage, traffic lights, and line of sight, with existing work progressing too slowly.
Responded
Bernard Gerrard
Concerns: Emergency ambulance services are experiencing unacceptable delays in vehicle response times, even for urgent calls, due to insufficient funding and overwhelming demand.
Overdue
John Alston
Concerns: Confusion and delays in identifying the correct Integrated Care Board (ICB) responsible for commissioning a patient's care led to delays in accessing appropriate support or placements.
Responded