The LGA held its annual conference remotely in July, bringing sessions to our members. Our councillors did a great job, raising good questions and entering the debate.
On your behalf, I chaired the session with LGA Vice-President Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, one of our most successful Paralympians, who spoke passionately in support of our councils and our shared work in encouraging people into active, healthier lives.
Baroness Grey-Thompson presented evidence of the value of leisure activities, something we continue to raise with government.
All of us at the LGA have been working in a coordinated way to inform and respond to recent ministerial announcements. We made the case strongly for funding – rewarded to a point – and continue to call for full cover of lost income, costs, and irrecoverable council tax and business rates.
We’re also adamant that support should not be linked to any forced reorganisation. The Conservative manifesto committed to further devolution to local government, not to forced mayor or unitary arrangements.
As we approach summer recess, work continues on our transition from the EU, with members raising points about ports and regulatory issues, which the Government is working to clarify. We are also responding to the LGA’s draft member code of conduct consultation, open until mid-August.
With government plans for planning, devolution and licensing all posing a risk to our local democracy, you can be assured we are working hard to represent our members and demonstrate the importance of our councils as effective and essential leaders of place.