Wandsworth Borough Council calls on residents to support challenge as borough faces losing 40% of its Government funding
Wandsworth Council has launched a major challenge against Government plans that could see the borough lose £84 million in funding - a reduction equivalent to 40% of its core Government support by 2029. The Council is now calling on local residents to back its campaign for what it says is a fairer funding settlement for Wandsworth - complete the consultation HERE.
Under plans announced by the Government as part of its changes to local authority funding, Wandsworth is among several London boroughs facing significant reductions in central Government support. The Council has warned that the scale of the cuts could have serious consequences for local services and residents unless the decision is reconsidered.
The Conservative administration has said it will pursue every available route to secure a better deal for the borough, including using powers under the Sustainable Communities Act. The proposed challenge would ask the Government to reconsider the amount of funding allocated to Wandsworth, phase any reductions over a longer period and give the Council greater freedom to retain and reinvest money raised locally.
Residents asked to have their say
The Council has launched a borough-wide engagement exercise to gather the views of residents on its financial challenges, spending priorities and the services they value most. You can submit your views here. If there is sufficient public support, the Council intends to formally submit its proposal to Government under the Sustainable Communities Act.
Leader of Wandsworth Council, Cllr Robert Morritt, said:
“Wandsworth residents deserve a fairer deal. Our core government funding has been cut and these changes will see Wandsworth’s funding fall by £84m, equivalent to 40% by 2029.”
Cllr Morritt said the Council was determined to make the case directly to Ministers and had already written to the Chancellor and other senior members of the Government. He added that Wandsworth contributes significantly to the national economy and tax base but receives comparatively little back through Government funding. The Council says that, for every £1 raised from Wandsworth taxpayers, just 4p is returned to the authority through Government funding.
Wandsworth faces a particularly difficult financial outlook. The Council says it has already seen Government funding fall by £19 million in 2026/27, with the overall reduction expected to reach £84 million annually by the end of the decade. It has also warned of a growing budget gap, increasing pressure on reserves and significant long-term borrowing commitments.
Council says it will not “roll over”
The challenge marks a significant escalation in Wandsworth's response to the funding settlement. The Council's leadership has made clear that unlike the previous Labour run Council it does not intend to simply accept the reduction in funding without a fight, arguing that local residents should not be unfairly penalised by changes to the way council funding is distributed nationally.
The Council will now use the feedback from residents to help shape its future spending priorities and strengthen its case to Government. Residents are being encouraged to take part in the engagement exercise and make their views known about the services they value and what they believe the Government should do to support Wandsworth.
