Community, neighbourhood, parish and town councils are set to spend an extra £33m on services over the next year, according to a new analysis.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) says this additional investment will be spent on safeguarding facilities such as public toilets, youth services, parks, open spaces and libraries. Cllr Sue Baxter, chairman of NALC said: “Local councils are continuing to step up to the plate to deliver an ever-growing range of services to meet the needs of their areas, while at the same time being fiscally responsible.
“Given the financial challenge facing the rest of local government it comes as no surprise to see local councils helping them out by investing more money in protecting much valued local services. “
NALC research last year showed that these councils are now starting to deliver services formerly provided by the first tier of local government.
Examples include a local bus service, flood mitigation, funding a full time police community support officer, an electric car club and a youth centre.
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