Funding
Will coronavirus kill democratic local government?
The Government might welcome an end to elected local government, say Jonathan Davies and Dr Arianna Giovannini. But they argue this outcome would be ‘dangerously short-sighted’.
Starmer to replace House of Lords with elected body
A Labour government will replace the House of Lords with an elected body of representatives from local and regional government, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told a virtual Local Government Association conference session.
COVID funding gap hits £7.4bn, LGA estimates
The funding gap created by COVID-19 now stands at £7.4bn, the Local Government Association has said.
We need to invest properly in the local state
We should see any COVID-19 relief monies as an investment in our nation’s future, says Core Cities UK portfolio holder for finance Cllr David Mellen. If we invest in public services now, we will get our nation up and running, he adds.
‘Give Redbridge its money back’
Redbridge’s chief executive predicts the pandemic will cost the local authority £60m He explains to Heather Jameson why he’s written to the Government to demand it covers both its expenditure and lost income.
Inclusive growth is key to local wealth
Sir Richard Leese outlines the three ways councils can leverage their influence to bring about inclusive economic growth. But they ‘cannot shoulder this burden alone’, he adds.
COVID-19: Saving lives in the second wave
Dominic Harrison says a ‘COVID-19 Second Wave Ready Community Fund’ is required. If allocated now, it would 'reduce future avoidable hospital admissions, prolong life, reduce NHS costs and promote equal life chances for all'.
Time to relax borrowing rules
An Institute for Fiscal Studies report on coronavirus regional variations paints a stark picture for councils’ budgets, says Michael Burton.
Life after lockdown: managing local variations
Wide local variations in the impact of the coronavirus pose a major headache to the government. Michael Burton reports on a new Institute for Fiscal Studies report examining varying needs judged by local authority areas.
Counties could be forced to issue Section 114 notices this year
If predictions in Grant Thornton's report on county finances fall anywhere close to the actual financial outturn, a significant number of councils will be forced to reduce costs, and as a last resort issue Section 114 notices, says Tom Foster.
No council should go bust due to efforts to combat coronavirus
It would be a public disaster if councils went bust due to their heroic efforts in combating COVID-19, says Cllr Carl Les – and he is confident a rescue package is on the horizon.
Now the clapping has stopped the listening needs to start
John Knight says COVID-19 has given citizens a much sharper focus on the local services they value and need. It’s time for councils to open a conversation with residents on what they want for the future, he believes
Wealth-building for our local economic recovery
Associate director of CLES Frances Jones says now is the time to mobilise 10 years of community wealth-building work and take it into the mainstream.
Clobbered by COVID
Chair of the Local Government Association's Resources Board Cllr Richard Watts argues that central Government must ensure authorities receive ongoing and consistent funding to enable them to keep supporting their communities.
Building on the vital relationship between health and care
The annual ADASS budget survey show the serious impact coronavirus has had, says Cllr James Jamieson. The Local Government Association is 'continuing to call for a long-term, sustainable funding solution beyond the pandemic', he adds.
EXCLUSIVE: 'Make local elections a "mini-referendum" on fair funding'
The main parties at the Local Government Association could turn next year’s local elections into a ‘mini referendum on fair funding for all councils’, according to the director of the Political Skills Forum.
Council chiefs call for action to resolve £6bn Covid-19 crisis
Local authority leaders have urged the Government to provide detailed plans on how to ensure the financial stability of cash-strapped councils.
Government appoints Arup-led consortium for £3.6bn Towns Fund delivery
The engineering company Arup has been appointed to lead a consortium to help local authorities access the £3.6bn Towns Fund.
Shaping care for our futures
Chief executive of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) Kathryn Smith says trust in the care home sector has been severely shaken by the pandemic – and we need to reassure the public while fully considering the future of residential care.
The crisis has proved again that local action works
The District Councils' Network has set out a five-point Manifesto for Recovery outlining how we can advance the health and wealth of the nation. Cllr John Fuller outlines its five offers and five asks.
