LGA Conference
A poncho for fine news
So you thought the blue poncho handed out by the Local Government Association’s Conservative Group at the LGA conference in July was just another useless conference freebie?
Andrew Gwynne: We need a DCLG that will fight for the sector
As the Labour conference gathers in Brighton, Shadow communities secretary Andrew Gwynne talks to Dan Peters about devolution, fiscal change, and his hope to represent the sector in a far more positive light.
EXCLUSIVE: ‘I want to be the best partner for local government’
Heather Jameson talks to communities secretary Sajid Javid about the progress of devolution, future funding, partnership working with the sector and that speech at the LGA conference...
Sector chiefs’ warning of hollowed out Whitehall
Senior sector figures this week called for clarity amid escalating concerns Whitehall is too stretched to tackle critical financial sustainability issues.
Delegates upbeat despite central-local deep freeze
Michael Burton casts a personal view on the major highlights of last week’s LGA conference
Tough talking
Last week’s LGA conference will be remembered in part for an extraordinary speech from Sajid Javid heavily criticising the sector – Heather Jameson looks at the fallout from the communities secretary’s address
A signal of what’s to come
Don’t you just hate it when technology lets you down?
Anger at U-turn over control of social care cash
Council chiefs have pushed back at ministers’ last-minute decision to exert control over how the £2bn cash boost for social care should be spent.
Javid holds out olive branch to the sector
Communities secretary Sajid Javid has held out an olive branch to local government in the aftermath of his disastrous speech to the Local Government Association conference speech last week.
Councillors have not been engaged in STP development
Less than 25% of councillors in England feel that they have been engaged in shaping the NHS’ sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs), according to a new survey conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA).
Council chiefs urged to 'seize the day'
Local authorities should ‘seize the day’ to secure inward investment for their areas, a former Government adviser has urged.
Housing crisis: More trust needed between councils and private sector
The private sector needs to gain the trust of local authorities in order to solve the housing crisis, the head of a London-based property developer has said.
Leese: Skills system is a mess
The leader of Manchester City Council has described the current skills system as a ‘mess’ as he laid out a vision for the future.
LGA: A moment for reflection
Mark Lloyd charts the Local Government Association’s achievements and successes during its 20-year history of championing the interests of the sector, and outlines the association’s plans to support UK councils in the future
Leaders lash out at ‘divisive and muddled’ Javid address
Council leaders have reacted angrily to communities secretary Sajid Javid’s Local Government Association (LGA) conference speech, with senior figures describing it as a ‘declaration of war’.
Javid: Sector must rebuild public trust
Councils have been warned they are facing a ‘looming crisis in confidence’ in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire by communities secretary Sajid Javid.
Solace presidency: The pitches
How should Solace hold its conferences, how must it collaborate with the LGA and how can members be better supported? As voting opens for the election of the new Solace president, candidates Trevor Holden and Jo Miller make their case for your vote
Facing up to challenges
Brexit has caused serious uncertainty across the sector but councils are learning from challenges and communication, says Nicola Bulbeck
Councils 'best placed' to close housing gap
Local government is best placed to address the growing housing gap amid increasing ‘uncertainty,’ according to the Local Government Association’s (LGA) housing spokesman.
A roof over our heads
Cllr Peter Box presents the initial findings of the LGA’s Housing Commission