ADEPT response to Autumn Statement
Mark Kemp, President of ADEPT said: “Local authorities have already started planning real-term cuts for 2022/23 to combat the impact of inflation on existing budgets. There will be some relief that we have a certain amount of funding security now to deliver policies which have been put on hold such as recycling and waste collection, local nature recovery strategies, and more resources for county devolution deals over the next five years, but no escaping the fact that with the impact to capital budgets and inflation, we will have to continue to make tough decisions with a direct impact for local services.
“I think I can safely speak for most local authorities when I say what a waste of time, resource and money we have had to spend on putting in bids for Investment Zones at a time when councils can ill-afford it. We will have to wait and see what the new direction means in the spring budget, but I hope that whatever the application process for new funding is, the government will factor in the resource implications for councils.
“ADEPT is pleased to see significant investment in the energy efficiency of homes, it is something we have long campaigned for. However, to be truly effective, it has to be locally led and it is a real missed opportunity not to start this work now, particularly with the ongoing energy crisis experienced by our communities."