With Westminster entering a new political chapter under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the LGA has moved quickly to set out our offer to the new administration.
‘Building lasting futures locally’ is both a manifesto and an invitation, a call for a new partnership between central and local government that looks beyond short-term political cycles and focuses on delivering lasting change for communities.
As the new Government begins to establish its priorities, the LGA is making a clear case that national ambitions can only be achieved if councils and local leaders are empowered to play a full role in delivering them.
Across housing, children’s services, skills, community safety and adult social care, councils are uniquely placed to bring partners together and design services around people, rather than institutions.
Whether reforming special educational needs provision, supporting young people into education and employment, tackling homelessness, strengthening community cohesion or rebuilding health and care services around prevention, local government can lead the way in tackling the biggest issues facing our people and places, and in shaping our nation’s future.
In the coming months, the LGA will be engaging closely with ministers across Whitehall to ensure the priorities of councils and communities are reflected in national policymaking. From sustainable funding and meaningful devolution to housing delivery and public service reform, we will continue to make the case that local government must be recognised as an equal partner in leading and delivering change.
On that note, it was wonderful to see so many councillors, officers, partners and national politicians coming together to share ideas, learn from one another and tackle some of the biggest issues facing local government at the LGA’s annual conference.
I left Bournemouth feeling optimistic about what lies ahead and even more determined to ensure the voice of local government is heard loud and clear, with the arrival of a new Prime Minister.