Finance settlement ‘is a backwards step’
We have been making efficiency savings in our councils, putting up council taxes and charges, and doing innovative ‘invest to save’ projects.
Councillor Marianne Overton MBE
Devo deals lack representation
The lack of support for councils in this Government’s Autumn Statement will see rising needs unmet and an estimated £4 billion shortfall by 2024.
Leading the journey to net zero
A life-size white elephant called HS2 greeted us as we arrived to support so many of our inspiring councillors at the Green Party Conference in Brighton in October.
The issues that matter to residents
The shocking news of fatal flooding in Libya is heartbreaking and there will be much we want to do to help.
A vibrant and inspiring conference
Thanks to so many people who attended the LGA’s recent annual conference, an especially vibrant and inspiring event.
Changing lives for the better
A warm welcome to all our new and returning councillors. We look forward to an exciting time ahead, changing lives for the better.
Identifying tensions in planning policies
The proposals to change our planning rules have been described by some as a dramatic return to ‘old school’ planning, with stronger control from central government.
A growing Independent voice
The movement towards Independent and smaller parties is rising to take on the huge challenge of recovering confidence and trust in democracy.
Lack of sustainable funding continues
While the local government finance settlement might pull some of our councils back from the brink, we shouldn’t kid ourselves that it puts us on a sustainable footing to meet the needs of our communities or our environment.
Mitigating the Truss mini-budget
The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement has attempted to mitigate the disastrous Liz Truss Budget, adding £8.5 billion to health, social care and schools’ budgets in 2024/25, but leaving other departments to absorb the impact of higher inflation.