Government urged to rethink funding cuts
Ashfield District Council Leader Cllr Jason Zadrozny and Ashfield MP Lee Anderson have joined forces to challenge Government funding changes that could strip more than £1 million from the district.
In a joint letter to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, the two have urged ministers to urgently reconsider reforms to national funding allocations which they say would unfairly penalise Ashfield.
The Council warns the proposed changes would remove more than £1 million from its core funding, hitting local services and communities at a time when residents are already facing significant economic pressures.
Cllr Zadrozny argues Ashfield is being disadvantaged precisely because of its responsible financial management, with the district now facing the loss of funding despite maintaining strong services and delivering major regeneration across the area.
He and Mr Anderson have made clear they are united in standing up for Ashfield and securing a fair deal for local residents, stressing that communities should not be penalised for prudent budgeting and sound financial stewardship.
Together they have called on ministers to reconsider the funding formula and ensure councils like Ashfield are treated fairly.
The letters reads:
Dear Steve Reed, Secretary of State Housing, Communities & Local Government,
SUBJECT: Impact of Central Government Funding Reductions on Ashfield District Council
Ashfield District Council, at a meeting held on the 2 February 2026, considered a Motion relating to the impact of funding reductions from central government on Ashfield communities.
In presenting the Motion to Council, Members highlighted that despite many years of strong financial governance, the significant changes to local government funding mechanisms and the lack of clarity in its implementation will result in being unable to plan budgets in a transparent and prudent manner and further impact the Council’s ability to protect some of the most deprived communities in England.
Following the presentation and debate of the Motion, Ashfield District Council resolved to:
1. Formally condemn the Government’s decision to implement funding reductions and formula changes that will remove approximately £1 million from Ashfield District Council’s budget in the coming year.
2. Call upon the Government to immediately reconsider the scale and methodology of these reductions as they apply to Ashfield, taking proper account of:
Levels of deprivation;
Historic underinvestment; and
The Council’s proven record of financial responsibility;
3. Demand the urgent publication of clear, detailed, and comprehensive guidance on transitional arrangements to allow lawful, transparent, and prudent budget planning.
4. Write formally to the Secretary of State setting out this Council’s objections and requesting immediate engagement on the impact of these changes.
5. Instruct the Council to work with local Members of Parliament, neighbouring authorities, and relevant sector bodies to press for a fairer funding settlement that does not penalise good governance.
6. Publicly affirm this Council’s commitment to defending the interests of Ashfield residents and to resisting funding decisions that disproportionately harm already disadvantaged communities.
In approving the Motion, Ashfield District Council concluded that financial responsibility must not be punished, deprivation must not be ignored, and local democracy must not be undermined by opaque and poorly implemented national policy. Ashfield has acted prudently and in good faith; it should not now be forced to pay the price for failures elsewhere.
Could you please give due consideration to the Motion, acknowledge receipt and provide an update on any intended actions in due course.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Jason Zadrozny, leader of Ashfield District Council
Lee Anderson, Member of Parliament for Ashfield
Posted on 10 March 2026