Stratford council chiefs studying Government grant

Buy photos » Stratford District Council leader Chris Saint - “We are still working through the figures and have been preparing for a tough settlement from the Government." Picture by Jon Mullis 31.011.005.strat.jm2 (www.buyphotos247.com)

COUNCIL chiefs are looking closely at the implications for the district in light of the the Government's ‘new look’ local government finance settlement.

Details just revealed show Stratford District Council face a reduction over over seven per cent in direct grant - which adds up to around £335,000.

But under the Government’s method of calculating ‘spending power’ which includes other sources of funding, including the New Homes Bonus, the actual budget is said to show an increase of 0.4 per cent in the next financial year, with a 1.7 per cent reduction in 2014/15. Council chiefs say it is too early to say exactly how that will affect current budget projections.

Coun Chris Saint, leader of Stratford District Council, said: “We are still working through the figures and have been preparing for a tough settlement from the Government. After we have studied all the details, there will be an additional district council cabinet meeting on January 28 to debate the budget."

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