Recommendation 15

We questioned how local authorities access funding to help achieve net zero. The Local Government Association highlighted to us the core issues of uncertainty, spending power and fragmentation in relation to challenges facing council finances.55 The Department considers that the current system run at a national level can ensure that areas that really need support, for example to address poor social housing stock, can get it.56 However, in 2021 the NAO found that a fragmented funding landscape dominated by competitive funds brings the risk that money does not go to where the need or opportunity is greatest, and it can make it difficult for local authorities to plan for the long term.57 The Department accepts that there are alternative methods, including devolving funding to local authorities, but rejects that this approach is inherently better. The Strategy suggests that longer term, co-ordinated funding can enhance innovation and investment, reduce bureaucracy, and encourage efficient and integrated decision making. The Department told us it is committed to making funding to local authorities simpler.58