Simon Edwards
It is imperative to get the SEND reforms right
Proposals to address the future demand pressures in education, health and care plans through a set of national standards are welcome, but can the Green Paper adequately address the substantial deficits of many CCN members, asks Simon Edwards.
Rewriting the devolution rulebook
After being left on the sidelines for years, county councils are now firmly at the heart of the Government’s levelling up ambitions, writes Simon Edwards.
Local government must be at the heart of proposals for levelling up
The CCN, along with the Local Government Association and others, worked tirelessly to make the case for more funding, 'and this positive result from the Spending Review was testament to the effectiveness of our advocacy', says Simon Edwards.
Local leadership needs a vote of confidence from the Treasury
In the run up to the Spending Review, the County Councils' Network will be continuing to highlight 'how imperative well-resourced councils are to the levelling up agenda', says Simon Edwards.
The levelling up White Paper must have proposals to match counties' ambitions
CCN’s member councils are putting in train ambitious place-based economic recovery plans, 'but they remain stunted by a lack of devolved powers available to metro mayors as well as significantly less funding', says Simon Edwards.
Seize the reins
The County Councils Network's new business plan for recovery and renewal puts forward evidence-based practical proposals to influence the Government's key agendas across six clear priorities, says Simon Edwards.
Counties will continue to deliver
Director of the County Councils Network Simon Edwards says the next few months will be 'no easier for our communities, but local government has already proven the importance of locally led, rather than centrally imposed, solutions'.
Give councils the powers and funds to transform their societies
As counties begin to move out of the most stringent lockdown measures, CCN member councils will be starting to set out bold visions for their areas, says Simon Edwards.
We will see the very best of local councils
During the COVID-19 pandemic, counties are ‘doing what they have done in an understated way for so long – keeping the show running for their communities’, says Simon Edwards.
The sector cannot simply make blank cheque arguments
It will be crucial to show the new Government that investing in local government will provide a return for ministers, says Simon Edwards.
‘Unleash the potential of counties’
The County Councils’ Network conference begins this weekend against the backdrop of the General Election campaign. Simon Edwards says a major focus will be on ensuring counties and local government get a fair share in any future spending pledges.
Reviews are a chance for us to come together
The County Councils’ Network (CCN) has released a new report on councils’ finances. Simon Edwards says it shows all councils need a significant injection of resources, and that its members face ‘a particularly severe set of circumstances’.
Change will be necessary to fix a broken funding system
Compromises along the way will be needed if the sector is to secure the implementation of the fair funding review, says Simon Edwards.
Let's build on the positives of 2018
Director of the CCN Simon Edwards says that while the latest fair funding consultation is on a positive trajectory there is still a way to go to reset an opaque and unfair system.
The quest for a fairer future
In the run-up to this year’s County Councils’ Network annual conference Simon Edwards looks at the immense challenges facing counties and the campaign for fair funding.
The money messages may be getting back to the centre
The accusation from local government that it is seldom listened to by central government has some merit, says Simon Edwards - but he believes key recent announcements do suggest that perhaps some of the messages from councils are cutting through.
Where next for Northants?
Simon Edwards looks at where next for Northamptonshire CC after it became the first authority in two decades to issue a S114 notice.
We want an extension of the transitional grants
Counties' core grants are set to drop double the rate of other council types, says Simon Edwards as he urges ministers to extend the transitional grants for another two years.
Getting the geography right
Simon Edwards explains what new research commissioned by the County Councils Network into local government reorganisation means for the future of councils
Rates research has some surprises
CCN director Simon Edwards on what can be learnt from research ahead of the single biggest local government shake-up in modern times.
