County Councils Network
Social care reforms to cost £26bn
New research has found social care reform costs will exceed Government estimates by £10bn but ministers have rebuffed calls for more funding.
Delivering school transport services during a fuel crisis
The cost of living has been especially felt in home-to -school transport, says Nicola Beach. The Government may need to look at the particular county-based issues in delivering it and set out specific and targeted solutions, she adds.
Adult social care reform costings need probing further
The level of underfunding currently being modelled for the reform of adult social care has the potential to push many authorities into crises and do the same to care providers, with major implications for vulnerable people, says Chris Tambini.
Will the cap fit this time?
There are at least three reasons why more delays to the Government’s social care plans would not help secure a better system and could even make things worse. Richard Humphries explains.
It is imperative to get the SEND reforms right
Proposals to address the future demand pressures in education, health and care plans through a set of national standards are welcome, but can the Green Paper adequately address the substantial deficits of many CCN members, asks Simon Edwards.
The art of the possible
A major new report from the ACCE, the CCN and Newton on the future of children's social care shows the art of the possible if councils are enabled to lead the charge in implementing the ‘optimised delivery model’, says Nicola Beach.
Care homes could face 'widespread closures' under reforms, counties warn
Care homes are at risk of closure as the Government has ‘seriously underestimated’ the cost of its social care reforms, county councils have warned today.
Family matters
With the findings of the independent review of children’s social care expected soon, Ann McGauran looks at what sector experts want to emerge from this once in a generation chance for transformation.
Tens of thousands fewer children could avoid going into council care
Tens of thousands of young people could avoid going into council care if services are reshaped under a new ‘optimised delivery model’ based on a family-focused way of delivering support, says a report.
A fresh vision
A new report from Newton and the County Councils Network presents a vision for what the future of children’s social care could be and defines an optimised model for delivering it, say Luke Tregidgo and James Maker.
Rewriting the devolution rulebook
After being left on the sidelines for years, county councils are now firmly at the heart of the Government’s levelling up ambitions, writes Simon Edwards.
Government sign-off required to 'unlock' UKSPF
Councils will have to draw up investment plans to access the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), the Government has revealed.
Councils rule out mayoral model
Two areas have already ruled out adopting mayors despite being selected by the Government to be in the first wave of county devolution deals.
Difficult decisions lie ahead for counties
County Councils Network analysis projects that even with the extra funding secured by the sector, its 36 members will collectively have a gap of £700m in 2022-23, says Nicola Beach.
Counties' concern at care funding
County councils have expressed concern at the level of central funding to rebalance care markets.
Embedding a new approach to devolution is critical to county deals success
A report concludes the White Paper on levelling up must include a devolution framework to build on and embed the Government’s county deals ‘principles,’ says James Maker.
Powers warning ahead of new deals
A new report today warns areas reluctant to accept directly-elected leaders in the next wave of devolution deals may be offered ‘fewer powers and flexibilities’.
Focusing on the future for counties and unitaries
Chairman of the County Councils' Network Cllr Tim Oliver says he 'could not fail to be quietly impressed about the energy and determination of our member councils to tackle the incoming challenges head-on' at his organisation's annual conference.
EXCLUSIVE: Districts in county deals warning
District council leaders have warned county deals will fail unless local government secretary Michael Gove gives them an equal role in devolution.
CCN conference: Councils face the blame for care cost rises, says Reed
As tax goes up and social care services remain underfunded, councils will be blamed, shadow communities’ secretary Steve Reed has claimed.
