Uncertainty around district council funding for local organisations may have implications for SMPC in 2025 reports John O’Brien
As we approach the final stage of preparations for this Council’s 2025/26 Budget, we are yet again faced with a failure by Uttlesford District Council to provide adequate time for consultation on its own 2025/26 Draft Budget.
The key word that is prominent in their draft is ‘uncertainty’.
UDC’s draft document contains a short comment on protecting services, but without backing up such a comment with figures, how can we be assured of such an expectation?
The deadline set for receipt of comments, Sunday 12th January, is perilously close to that set for us to present our own financial requirements, leaving us too with a high degree of uncertainty.
For example, will we still have funding for a PCSO to cover our community or will our flourishing Youth Club be left without much needed financial support?
The former is still uncertain, but the budget for the Youth Club is assured and, providing we make a successful application for a grant, we will receive some funding for the next 3 years.
We need concrete assurances of funding protection before Full Council next week, or an extension of the deadline for Parish and Town Councils to submit their financial needs.
The national financial situation is still in a state of uncertainty, and we need to be very careful how we view the prospects for 2025/26. Inflation is the greatest concern with impending doom and gloom signalled by the incoming Trump administration.