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<p>Councils are free to determine the level of reserves they hold and are accountable
to their electorate for the decisions they make. They are required by statute to hold
a level of unallocated reserves commensurate with sound financial risk management.</p><p>No
specific instructions have been issued to local authorities in relation to building
up their reserves. Nor is there any national guidance on the minimum or maximum level
of reserves, either as an absolute amount or as a percentage of the budget. To ensure
prudent management, some authorities will maintain reserves at higher levels than
others</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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