LGA Conference
LGA cancels annual conference in coronavirus crisis
The Local Government Association (LGA) annual conference has been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, it has been announced.
Does our place-shaping role risk being imperilled?
An anonymous writer ponders the incongruity between what the centre expects from local government and the ‘nature, breadth and ferocity’ of the challenges councils are facing.
Chief executives will get access to the guidance, knowledge and support they need
Joanne Roney says she intends to ensure Solace provides accessible and self-managed development options to all in a timely and appropriate format.
New Treasury team must not destroy its inheritance
Michael Burton says the power to plunge the economy into recession lies in the hands of the new Prime Minister and the new Treasury ministerial line-up.
We cannot afford to take no for an answer
Louise Round says Tandridge DC was not 'one of the lucky 50' to get through to the second round of the Future High Streets funding round. She hopes Government will not make the second stage disproportionately difficult for councils to take part in.
Phrase maze
Every conference has its concept. A phrase, word or idea that is cited on stage, only to be chucked willy nilly into all the chatter in the bars and coffee corners for the rest of the event and beyond.
Don't allow this strange summer lull to dilute our focus
There will come a time when a new administration will need a new domestic policy agenda, says John O'Brien. We have to make sure we continue to show how councils should be a vital part of that future, he adds.
Showtime by the seaside
Ministers, mandarins, town hall, Whitehall and more all met in Bournemouth last week for the Local Government Association conference. Michael Burton reports on the highlights
Rolling out a new institutionalism
Dr Jonathan Carr-West wonders if, alongside new localism, we need a new institutionalism too?
How can the financial settlement meet its deadline?
The clock is ticking on the countdown to publication of the financial settlement for 2020/21, says Michael Burton - but the timetable is 'spectacularly complex'.
Confidence collapses as statutory services face meltdown
Research by LGA reveals councils will struggle to meet legal obligations within three years.
Non-metropolitan councils need the power to tackle barriers to growth
The Post-Brexit England Commission’s final report has set out a prospectus to Government of ‘tangible, practical proposals’ with the potential to ‘make a difference to local communities quickly’.
The clock is ticking on the push for devolution
There will be little bandwidth for local government policy in the coming months, says Heather Jameson. Her lesson to the victor of the LGA's very own leadership election is: don't wait.
More joined up approach is needed from central Government to tackle county lines
Central Government departments work in silos on tackling serious violence and county lines and need to work together ‘in a more smart way’, says a council expert.
Conquering housing’s many complexities
Cllr Martin Tett highlights how the LGA is working for councils to be given the powers and funding to fix Britain’s broken housing ladder by building new, social rented houses.
Bringing in the changes
If the Government fails to adequately fund local government there is a real risk to the future financial viability of some services and councils, writes Mark Lloyd as the LGA annual conference gets into full swing.
Time for a UK-wide debate on tourism levies
Cities south of the border including Birmingham have plans to consider tourism levies. Cllr Judith Blake says Core Cities UK believes it's time for a national discussion about whether one might work in the UK.
Brokenshire calls for 'new deal for local government'
Communities secretary James Brokenshire has called on the next Prime Minister to publish a Green Paper on a new deal between local and central government.
LGA Conference 2019
The MJ is bringing you all the latest news and features from this year's Local Government Association Conference in Bournemouth.
Bring it on – give it to us
James Jamieson is the newly-elected chairman of the Local Government Association. He talks to Heather Jameson about his priorities. He wants councils to have ‘not just the responsibility, we want the resources and the responsibility’
