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<p>The details of in-principle Exceptional Financial Support agreements with councils
are published and available on gov.uk.</p><p>Councils are responsible for setting
their own budgets and taking decisions around spending. Any decision to issue a Section
114 notice is one taken at a local level and is not a matter for the department. The
final Local Government Finance Settlement for 2023/24 makes available up to £59.7
billion for local government in England, an increase in Core Spending Power of up
to £5.1 billion or 9.4% in cash terms on 2022/23.</p><p>The department maintains a
regular dialogue with the sector, and we understand the challenges being faced by
local government. It is also the case that there have been local failures in financial
management and governance in a small number of Councils in recent years; where this
is the case the Government will take action, where necessary, to protect tax payer
value for money. We stand ready to speak to any council that has concerns about its
ability to manage its finances, whatever the cause.</p>
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