Will the Minister outline the measures the Welsh Government will take to ensure that local authorities are able to find innovative solutions to the delivery of council services, given that the 2015-16 revenue and capital outturn figures have highlighted a drop in provision for libraries, culture, heritage and sport of 9. 8 per cent and a drop in planning, economic and community development of 28 per cent?
The Welsh Government continues to protect local authorities from the worst of the cuts imposed from Westminster. The settlement proposed for 2017/18 provides a platform from which to plan and manage the difficult decisions that lie ahead. This funding is provided to Welsh local authorities as unhypothecated grant, enabling them to make spending decisions based on their own assessments of local needs and priorities.