Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Thursday 6th September 2012

As this e-petition has received more than 10 000 signatures, the relevant Government department have provided the following response:

In line with their accountability to their local population, it is for local authorities to choose how best to use their available funding, not for central government to prescribe how their funding should be used. Ministers have listened to local government and removed the ring-fencing of grants, which will allow local authorities greater freedom to direct funding in the most effective way and give local people the best service possible. Removal of ring-fenced funding is designed to increase local flexibility by enabling authorities to respond to local needs and priorities.

This e-petition remains open to signatures and will be considered for debate by the Backbench Business Committee should it pass the 100 000 signature threshold.