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<p>Since 2010 there have been changes to the financing and functions of local government,
and therefore spending power, the measure of funding available to local authorities,
is not directly comparable over this period.</p><p>Prior to 2013-14, Formula Grant
was non-ring fenced money for local government services. It was funded by central
government grant and redistributed business rates. From 2013-14, Settlement Funding
Assessment became the way central government provided local authorities with non-ring
fenced funding for local government services.</p><p>Councils will have had access
to over £200 billion over the five-year period 2015-16 to 2019-20, and funding for
local government will increase in real-terms next year.</p><p>As democratically elected
organisations, local authorities are independent of central government and are responsible
for managing their budgets in line with local priorities. However, the Government
expects local authorities to meet the challenge of making savings, while continuing
to provide excellent services to local communities. It is for local authorities to
conduct their own impact assessments of local decisions on residents, including vulnerable
adults and children.</p>
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