A report by the Director of Finance provided details of the Local Government Resources Review which was launched by the Government on 17 March 2011.  The vision was of 'self-funded' councils that kept their local business taxes with central grant dependence scaled back except where it was needed to protect the interest of taxpayers. The Review was expected to conclude in July 2011.

RESOLVED:  That

  (1)  Officers and Members, as appropriate, undertake detailed work and proactively make representations to influence Government, with the aim of securing a fair and rebalanced funding formula to tackle Wirral’s underlying problems and provide adequate resources for local services; and

  (2)  input be made to collective lobbying through bodies such as SIGOMA, LGA, Liverpool City Region, other councils and representative bodies, as appropriate, to promote the case for equalisation, seeking to ensure that those local authorities with a low income from business rates and a high level of Government grant support are not adversely affected by the proposed repatriation of business rates.