Written question WQ100022
- Asked by
- Mike HedgesLabour
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
What is the total estimated cost of the Welsh Government's review of the funding formula for local government?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning (Siân Gwenllian)
The Welsh Government currently estimates the cost of its review of the local government funding formula to be approximately £450 thousand over three years, based on current assumptions. This estimate is based on the employer costs of the dedicated Welsh Government review team and assumes the review is delivered broadly in line with the current planned timetable.
The estimate excludes the contribution of wider Welsh Government officials, local government representatives and partner organisations supporting the review as part of their wider roles. It also excludes any future specialist external analytical support that may be commissioned as the review progresses, as the scope and costs of such work have not yet been determined.
Outside of the costs outlined above, the review includes work being undertaken in partnership with the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) through an annual programme of work under an existing Welsh Government contract valued at £441 thousand per year. The project will be delivered within the scope of this existing arrangement and therefore does not incur any additional cost.
The review supports the formula used to distribute around £6.5 billion of core, unhypothecated funding to local authorities each year.