Funding
It is the right time to invest in all of our futures
As we head towards COP26 Paul O’Brien says we should not settle for anything less than a key role for councils in the delivery of the plan for net zero, or the consequences could be catastrophic.
District expectations tempered for Spending Review
The District Councils’ Network annual conference has heard reforms to local government finance are not expected in the short-term.
Living in limbo
As delays in confirming the successful bids for Community Renewal Fund cash drag on and councils remain in the dark about the upcoming UK Shared Prosperity Fund, local government leaders are running out of patience. Naomi Larsson reports.
It is teamwork that makes the dream work
The Government would be wise to do all it can to de-escalate tensions with councils over funding, says Joanne Pitt.
Call for ground-up approach to carbon reduction
The Government must ‘match the ambition of communities’ on reducing carbon emissions, a think-tank has said.
Solving care needs through social change
More money on its own will not be enough to fix social care - and developing the required whole-system approach means local government has to be in the lead, says Polly Mackenzie.
Bexley withdraws capitalisation request
The council said ‘sound financial planning’ meant it would not need the extra funds to balance its books.
Lords warn social care funding increase is not enough
Peers have told the Government its proposed funding increase will not solve the problems within the social care system.
Imagining a health-led recovery
The Health Foundation says local government should be at the heart of driving forward the strategy to improve and level up health, and thereby the economy – but how can this best work in practice? Ann McGauran reports.
We need an equal partnership between the NHS and councils on health and care
When is a local health and care partnership not a partnership? If we are not careful when it's an integrated care system, say Phil Hope and Steve Barwick.
Officers told to be ‘adventurous’ to close budget gap
Dorset Council’s officers have been tasked with finding ‘new ways of operating’ in a bid to close a budget gap.
St Albans festival pulls out all the stops
National Graduate Development Programme trainee Thomas Wrench says councils’ investment in activities such as the St Albans International Organ festival will be fundamental to COVID-19 recovery and uniting communities.
Let’s ditch ‘panel game’ funding
Cllr John Merry talks to Ann McGauran about how Key Cities are faring as they look towards recovery, and says he’s approaching the White Paper on levelling up with an ‘open-minded spirit’.
Lifting up our high streets
Engaging with and empowering communities are crucial to rejuvenating our high streets, and we must ensure citizens’ voices are heard and listened to, says Kathy Kyle Bonomini.
Sunderland to raid reserves
Sunderland City Council has said it will have to raid already-earmarked reserves to close a £26m funding gap next year.
Counting the cost of the Universal Credit cut
Tony Kirkham says that by mid-August nearly 36,000 residents in Newcastle were on Universal Credit. Today's withdrawal of the £20 per week uplift 'will have a significant impact on these families – 36% of which are currently in work', he adds.
Councils need funding certainty
London’s local services face pressures of up to £2bn over the Spending Review period, says Cllr Darren Rodwell. The chancellor must empower councils to tackle the most momentous challenges we face today, he argues.
A clearer path?
David Phillips says the Spending Review cannot bring councils funding certainty but it can bring clarity – and the Government should still use it to answer some key questions.
Councils must recognise the threat to locally delivered social care
The local government sector, and the bodies which represent it, need to switch from a stance that welcomes small steps to one that recognises the existential threat that locally delivered social care now faces, argues Jessica Studdert.
Let’s ground levelling up
The LGiU has set out the six core principles that must inform the approach to levelling up from now on. Dr Jonathan Carr-West explains.
