In The MJ, 15 June 2016

District Councils’ Network chairman, Cllr Neil Clarke, this week stressed the importance of a needs reassessment to inform a review of the future share of business rates in two-tier areas.

He said: ‘Any new system should be designed around place and delivering better outcomes for communities, rather than focusing on institutions.

‘Business rates should not be used just to conveniently glue together immediate funding gaps in adult social care.

‘There is a dynamic balance to be struck between needs, growth, incentives, stability and resources, and this complex line of best fit must be designed with the long-term sustainability of local government finance firmly in view.’