Funding
London borough rejects insourcing children’s services
Kingston LBC had considered returning services from a wholly-owned company when their contract ends in 2021.
Public services need an uplift in the economy
In an alternative universe where we had an extra £400bn a year of UK GDP we may never have had issues about adult care because there would have been the money to fund it, says Michael Burton.
EXCLUSIVE: LGA to provide vision to solve social care crisis
Local government will put forward its vision of a reformed social care funding system to the next Prime Minister following criticism of parties’ election policies.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils hit out at 'unfair' restrictions on flood repair funding
Councils are being burdened with the cost of supporting flood-hit homes and businesses due to a lack of flexibility in Government aid, it has been claimed.
Surge in people seeking help with care bills
The number of adults in care requiring council help due to depleted funds increased by more than a third last year.
Bexley slashes development company housebuilding target
Bexley LBC’s wholly-owned housing company has more than halved the number of homes it plans to deliver.
Social care needs funding solutions ‘for the short, medium and long-term’
Solace spokesperson for wellbeing Paul Najsarek responds to the findings of the ADASS autumn survey that revealed 90% of respondents had ‘some concerns about, or insufficient capacity to manage’, winter pressures.
Bed delays to hit 2.5m days since last election
More than 2.5m bed days will have been lost in the NHS due to a lack of social care since the last General Election, new analysis has concluded.
General Election manifestos ‘not credible’ on social care
Experts have cast doubt on election pledges to fix the social care system.
Directors of public health have infused their specialism into a broader strategic context
How long will it be before we see a chief executive of a council or large scale not-for-profit enterprise emerging from the modern public health sector?
It’s party time
With just a week to polling day, the race to form the next Government is nearly over. Here Paul Marinko tries to help the sector navigate the web of policy commitments for local government on offer after 12 December.
Voters face 'stark choice' on public spending - IFS
The choice could not be clearer on public spending plans by the main political parties according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Deliver the funds we need to excel
What does the LGA Independent Group want a new Government to deliver on local finances? National lead peer Cllr Mike Haines says his members all want strengthened local communities – and that requires adequate funding.
It’s all about the money, money, money
What does local government need from a new Government on finance? Councils must be fully funded if they are to make a difference, says LGA Liberal Democrat Group leader Cllr Howard Sykes.
Councils should be leading the queue for reinvestment
What does the LGA's Labour Group want from a new Government on local finance? Councils' funding must be permanently protected from the vagaries of national Government, argues Cllr Nick Forbes.
Let's ensure the sector gets heard above the post-election hubbub
To get its voice heard by an incoming government, the sector should unite around the main themes - including funding, national policies for both adults and children's services, place-making, infrastructure and more, says Anthony May.
‘We are arguing about a system that’s just flawed’
Sir Steve Houghton talks to Ann McGauran about the funding challenges faced by metropolitan districts and urban unitary authorities – and what the next Government needs to deliver to the ‘hardest-hit’ places.
An election that’s about last decade as much as the next
Jeremy Corbyn still continues to be snapping at Boris Johnson’s heels, says Michael Burton. Could it be because many voters, especially the young, are disenchanted with capitalism’s excesses and telephone number salaries?
Councils to make case for further Government flood funds
Local authorities are lobbying Government to provide support for flood-hit families and small businesses whose insurance does not cover the costs of their recovery.
Leaders seek huge rise in flood funding
Councils have approached the Government for financial assistance as costs mount for flood-hit communities.