ComRes have just published their third annual report on the views of councillors on the future of local government. They interviewed 405 councillors across the country in October 2013.

More than three quarters of councillors surveyed expect the financial position of their council to deteriorate over the next twelve months, and that is anticipated to have a negative effect on frontline services, with more than two thirds of councillors believing that the full impact of cuts has yet to be felt by residents. Meanwhile, there is also almost universal consensus that the balance of power between local and central government is not right. The vast majority continue to feel, as in 2011 and 2012, that their council does not have the financial resources it needs to deliver the services that local residents expect.

Photo credit: Future by Robert Bowyers, Ten Brindleyplace, Cumberland Street, Birmingham. Taken by Elliot Brown