LGA Conference
Who will crack care?
The Government must raise enough funding to end the unsatisfactory adult social care system and ensure a skilled workforce is both attracted and retained, writes Sir Bob Neill.
Getting back in the groove
As the country prepares to open up to gatherings again, Heather Jameson rounds up last week’s major annual virtual conferences – and finds an air of optimism within the sector despite the challenges ahead.
UK should emulate Biden - Marmot
Public health expert Sir Michael Marmot has urged the Government to follow the lead of US President Joe Biden to level up the UK.
Javid vows to reform social care 'quite soon'
New health secretary Sajid Javid has promised to bring forward plans for social care reform ‘quite soon’, but failed to commit to an exact timetable.
Reed accuses government of dropping devolution
Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed has accused the Government of dropping its commitment to devolution.
Lib Dem leader calls for urgency on social care reform
Speaking at the Local Government Association’s virtual conference, party leader Sir Ed Davey said he still had hopes for cross-party talks on the issue.
Is Slough the canary in the mine?
Heather Jameson says it’s hard to reconcile Robert Jenrick's vision of a ten to 20-year plan for local places with 'a system that sees councils’ finances lurch blindly from year to year, on a promise of a three-year deal that fails to materialise.'
Whitty warns of tough times ahead
The life-changing effects of COVID-19 will continue to be felt for many months to come, Professor Chris Whitty has said.
Jenrick to reduce competitive bidding
The communities secretary has pledged to reduce the number of funds councils have to compete for as part of plans to consolidate the sector’s funding.
Metropolis didn't have a happy ending
As the threat of COVID begins to lift there are some difficult questions ahead, says Paul Wheeler. He asks how much more difficult will recovery be for city centres 'if a significant number of well-paid workers never spend time or money there'?
Enjoy summer as it’s not looking good for the rest of the year
The Government seems to have fallen in love with the idea of big unitary councils and elected mayors, says Paul Wheeler. But this enthusiasm for re-organisation is grim news for the multitude of mainly Conservative district councils, he adds.
Call for exercise boom to continue
Paralympian champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has made a rallying call for the exercise boom to continue after lockdown.
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.
Lib Dems - 'We need a devolution revolution to drive the green revolution'
Fixing social care, tackling climate change, addressing deep-seated inequalities and rebuilding the economy are the ‘enormous challenges’ ahead, says acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.
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.
Screening questions
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick came to this year’s Local Government Association (LGA) conference with his name in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Jenrick: We'll back local government
Robert Jenrick has promised that Whitehall will back local government in the same way councils ‘stepped up and supported people in their time of need’.
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.
Walking and cycling plea to avoid 'car-mageddon'
A senior councillor has warned against a ‘car-mageddon’ recovery post-lockdown as he urged the sector to invest in walking and cycling.
LGA shies away from reorganisation 'fight back'
The Local Government Association (LGA) has shied away from calls for it to launch a ‘fight back’ against reorganisation though senior members criticised any top-down approach.
