LGA
Making ‘green’ core to every policy and activity
Davy Jones and John Tizard present a plan for nurturing greener accessible places in ways that are equitable, tackle inequality, secure decent jobs and address sustainability.
We're not the 'parents'
District and shire county councils would all face abolition if the Government’s formula for the devolution White Paper is implemented, says Ian Miller. And let’s hope Whitehall doesn’t think town and parish councils will need 'parenting', he adds.
More burden-sharing than burden-busting
Last week’s funding announcement was ‘miles away from the Government’s initial vow to support local authorities in full’ - and the sector remains unsatisfied, says Dan Peters.
Councils can lead post COVID-19 'inclusive' recovery
Inclusive growth is now ‘out of grasp for the foreseeable future’, but building more inclusive economies is not, according to research published today.
Building economies that work for people
IPPR North has been working with the Local Government Association to set out how local government can build inclusive economies. Marcus Johns says bold policy to deliver on this ‘is the only sustainable way forward’.
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.
Starmer challenges PM over council funding
Prime minister Boris Johnson was forced to deny he has been slow to act on council funding during a Parliamentary clash with Labour leader Keir Starmer yesterday.
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.
Local government can look for powerful allies
Winston Churchill famously remarked ‘Never let a good crisis go to waste’. Paul Wheeler says we should use this current one to rebuild a local government that is properly funded, ambitious and a strong advocate for localities.
PR strategist's hall of shame
Diary is inundated with press releases, speeches and blog posts on a regular basis.
The value of local leadership
Local outbreak plans are due to be in place by the end of June. Professor Jim McManus asks how are they shaping up, and outlines the principles that define a good plan. Too many questions remain about the idea of 'local lockdowns', he adds.
Please sir, I want some more
After suffering starvation for three months with his companions, Oliver Twist said: ‘Please sir, I want some more.’ Likewise, as a sector, local government must continue to ask for more, says Tony Kirkham.
Government warned on cohesion threats
Whitehall has been warned that community tensions could erupt further as the concerns of Black Lives Matters protesters are fuelled by emerging coronavirus inequalities.
Councils lack reserves to deal with coronavirus crisis
More than 100 councils in England have no reserves to draw upon to cover the financial impact of COVID-19.
Government increases funding for child asylum seekers
The boost to rates to support care leavers has long been lobbied for by local government.
Councils must challenge Government fearlessly for pandemic cash
Local government needs to reach out to others to support a campaign for Government to meet its duty to fund local authority shortfalls, says John Tizard.
Adult care coronavirus costs to reach £6.6bn by autumn
The majority of the extra financial pressure is being borne by local government, according to new research.
Councils call for access to cheaper short-term loans
Councils should have access to short-term loans with delayed repayments to help them through the coronavirus pandemic, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said today.
