Survey finds high expections of financial crisis among council leaders

Fewer than one in five senior council figures believe it is possible for their authorities to deliver continued savings over the next five years without affecting the quality of service, according to a survey. The research, by PwC, polled 81 finance directors, chief executives and council leaders on the financial prospects for their local authorities.
The survey also found 74% of those polled believe some councils will hit a serious financial crisis in the next 12 months, up from 54% last year.
Jonathan House, local government and health leader at PwC, said: “While local councils have done well against an ongoing course of challenges, the cliff edge for some is getting ever closer. With another Spending Review next year, as well as the UK’s formal exit from the EU, the landscape will become incredibly tough – the resilience they have shown so far will be tested to the max.”