Birmingham could become self-financing by 2020 says council

BIRMINGHAM City Council could become self-financing by 2020 if the local authority is given greater spending powers.

The leaders of the three political parties on the council – John Clancy (Labour and Leader), Robert Alden (Conservative) and Jon Hunt (Lib Dem) – said if the council was allowed to retain what it raised through business rates then the whole of the city’s economy could benefit.

Speaking at the latest meeting of the Birmingham Independent Improvement Panel, Cllr Clancy said the council had to ensure any new funding for the authority was a proper replacement for the Revenue Support Grant and not just a top up.

The three political leaders have vowed to work together to ensure the authority gets the best deal.

The joint working arrangements are the latest move by the council to deliver on the recommendations laid down as part of the Kerslake Review.

Appearing before the fourth public meeting of Birmingham Independent Improvement Panel – the body formed by the government to monitor the city council’s performance – the three leaders said they were committed to seeing the authority achieve the goals set out in the review and restore the council’s reputation.

They told the panel they had agreed to a series of monthly meetings with the council’s chief executive, Mark Rogers, specifically to discuss strategic issues facing Birmingham.

Outlining some of those priority areas, Cllrs Clancy, Alden and Hunt said in a joint statement: “The children of our city are the future of our city. We must be unflinching in our commitment to improve the safeguarding of our most vulnerable children, whilst continuing to work alongside schools to provide the very best education for all of our children.

“It is this high quality education that will enable our young people to move into jobs and gain further skills in order for them not only to live fruitful lives as adults but to contribute to the growth of their city at all levels, in all sectors and across all of the neighbourhoods of Birmingham.”

Reiterating the council’s determination to improve, they added: “The city council must continue to improve the part it plays, working constructively alongside partners across all areas of our society to develop that vision for ‘Birmingham plc’.”

Panel chairman John Crabtree said he and colleagues would now prepare a follow-up report for Local Government Secretary Greg Clark, which would be ready by March 21.