Councillor Marianne Overton MBE

The latest government roadmap aims for more children to be back at school and more parents back at work by 1 June.

Local leadership is never more important than in a wartime theatre, as we feel we are in now.

As we respond to the pandemic facing our country, councillors are doing a great deal to support our communities.

Our members have been vociferous about what we need to see in the forthcoming Budget. We have had a good settlement but only for one year and we need longer-term certainty.

“Many councils are already rewriting local plans, challenging the rate and types of housing built”

More than 1,200 Independent and smaller party candidates stood in the General Election, undaunted by the cost and incredibly hard work that goes into running a campaign.

Much like September’s Spending Round, this pre-election Queen’s Speech promised much, but with little certainty of the current government actually having to deliver it.

Chaos in Westminster has seen the Prime Minister lose vote after vote and now his tactical shutting down of Parliament could be unlawful. Many of his own members have turned against the party whip, determined to vote with their consciences.

This is a big year for us. It will bring a changed UK-EU relationship and possible Parliamentary elections, while we continue to help our communities to thrive in an¬ ever-challenging funding environment.