Borrowing cap win leads to house building boost
Almost all stock-owning councils plan to accelerate or increase their house building programmes following the lifting of the housing borrowing cap last year, according to an LGA survey.
The Editorial Team
Twenty-first century councils
The LGA has published a new resource aimed at helping councils support more women, parents and carers to stand for election to, and serve in, local government
Who are you?
Serving the local community and making a difference remain the primary reasons why people stand as councillors, according to the latest census of elected members in England
‘Council tax rise won’t stop care cuts’
Council tax rises in 2019/20 will not bring in enough money to prevent further cutbacks to the care that millions of older and disabled people rely on every day, the LGA has warned.
Early help for families
Political leadership is key to developing effective early help services for families
Spending on children’s centres falls
Children’s centres face an uncertain future, with figures showing councils have been forced to cut their spending on the service by nearly a quarter in four years.
Sprinklers needed for fire safety
Tougher sprinkler rules must be introduced to ensure fire safety in high-rise buildings and care homes, the LGA has urged.
No new funding from Chancellor
A consultation on infrastructure finance, £100 million to help tackle knife crime, and free sanitary products for girls in secondary schools were among the announcements in March’s Spring Statement.
Cash for nursery schools
The Government is to give an additional £24 million to councils to help them fund maintained nursery schools in 2019/20, following campaigning by the LGA.
Health visitors ‘in decline’
Children’s health visitors have seen a significant fall in numbers and investment is urgently needed to help safeguard the future of our youngest generation, the LGA has said.