Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Post

KNOW YOUR BUDGET: Our 'Budget 101' explains the purpose of a Municipal Budget and highlights how the budget is the blueprint for City services. Watch the video, then follow the link for more information on the FY 2024-25 Budget, https://lnkd.in/eKZWTqhv

In a classic case of ‘do as I say, not as I do’, legislation developed by central government requires all councils to develop detailed 10-year plans backed by 30-year infrastructure strategies with balanced budgets under the supervision of the Auditor-General. The challenge for central government is that it doesn’t have comprehensive asset management plans for schools, tertiary institutions, state highways, hospitals, public housing, police stations, etc., outlining how they will fund, build, manage and maintain these critical public assets for even the next five years, let alone 10. The Beehive simply trudges along year by year, drip-feeding financial commitments one media release at a time while playing down stories of stretched systems, asset failures, budget blowouts, building closures and mounting future liabilities. This a system that provides ministers and bureaucrats maximum flexibility to change whatever they want with minimal scrutiny. But the reality is this system has run down New Zealand’s public infrastructure. There is a faint light at the end of the tunnel for central government but it will require all the parties that make up our parliament to come together a make a commitment to taking a longer term view of infrastructure and develop plans capable of enduring changes in government. #assetmanagement #budgets #planning #government https://lnkd.in/gJ9-vP7s

Agree with this and Infracomm is about to release an Asset Management State of Play and Neil’s assessment is “bang-on” on my view. We have been trying to bring in asset management in some agencies but it’s not “sticking” as often under-resourced, under-governed and no-one is asking where it is. Just a note that proper Asset Management is at the strategic level including have we got the right assets, at the right place, at the right time not just about maintaining existing assets. I believe the strategic view is what has been missing in most central government i.e Kainga Ora doesn’t have the volume, type and location of social houses required hence has been in “catch-up”. I think we need to be clear that we are well behind the current demand in some sectors let alone factoring in future growth Jodie O’Doherty right on!

Another gripping article. Perhaps the take away is that the alignment between local and central planning/prioritisation across horizons needs strengthening - 3yr; 10 year; and 50 year. Let’s be clear tho, the Public Finance Act (section 26J, 26K, 26N) requires central government to plan across these horizons - some agencies have ‘excellent’ 10 year and 50 year planning (eg courts, prisons, police); some ‘good’ planning (eg health); and some ‘non existent’planning (eg transport). So maybe add consistent expectations to the list, alongside equalising the transparency of central government plans … perhaps going too far to ask that the assumptions align? #localism #equalTransparency #clarifyImpacts

What is a Budget? Should we celebrate high budgetary allocation by a state or federal government? Most times when we read news of high budgetary allocations we celebrate. In this new edition of #Economicexplainer with Olanrewaju Oyedeji, I explain what a budget is and why having a high budget by State or Federal government is not enough reason to celebrate. This video helps you explain the term budget quite well and it’s validity.

💸 Stat Time: 40% Cite Cost Concerns 💰 40% of smaller municipalities cite cost as the primary barrier to adoption. Fortunately, AccessE11 is priced for municipalities of any size. 🔗 Source: SmallGov 💸 #CostConcerns #Budgeting #localgov

Check out our new publication from the Oireachtas Parliamentary Budget Office, which provides an initial analysis of a range of key issues which frame the backdrop of Budget 2025, in addition to highlighting longer term challenges facing the State. #SeeForYourself 📑- https://oir.ie/c16e57d

💸 Stat Time: 40% Cite Cost Concerns 💰 40% of smaller municipalities cite cost as the primary barrier to adoption. Fortunately, AccessE11 is priced for municipalities of any size. 🔗 Source: SmallGov 💸 #CostConcerns #Budgeting #localgov

🚨Breaking: Conservative-led Nottinghamshire County Council is NOT proposing the maximum Council Tax increase. Over the past 4 years, Conservative Councillors at Nottinghamshire County Council have NEVER increase Council Tax by the maximum. That’s saved you, the taxpayers, £22m. This February, Conservative Councillors at County Hall will propose a budget that will: 🚧Continue investing into repairing our roads and pavements; 📚Portect, enhance and invest in our libraries; 🏫 Build and expand schools; 👨🦳🧓Assist elderly residents to remain at home while receiving good quality care; and ⚽️Retain a thriving youth service. All whilst keeping council tax as low as possible with a below maximum increase averaging £1.20 per week. Thanks to well managed budgets by this Conservative Administration, and despite the Labour Government issuing Nottinghamshire County Council with a £30m of National Insurance bill, a maximum Council Tax increase is not required. This is in stark contrast to Labour-run Nottingham City which has gone bankrupt, is increasing Council Tax massively and is cutting services like libraries. You can read more about the County Council budget proposals here: https://lnkd.in/eTn6s4Bd

The key thing that government needs to understand is how critical the role of local government is in delivering on central government’s priorities. It is we who primote local economic growth, new housing, grass roots cost of living support, environmental enhancement and place making. Local government has influence over more than 30% of carbon emissions and has a massive role to play - given the powers and resources- to put the UK at the forefront as a low carbon living economy.