I would like to wish everyone across the local government family a prosperous 2026 and congratulate all those in the sector who were recognised for their efforts in the New Year Honours List – in particular, the former Leader of Buckinghamshire Council Cllr Martin Tett, who has been made a CBE.
Let me take the opportunity in this first first magazine of 2026 to wish all LGA member councils a very happy new year.
Last year, the Liberal Democrats won the most council by-elections across the UK.
As we enter 2026, local government faces a year of significant change.
The past year has been unsettled for local government.
From day one of this Labour Government, ministers have been clear that fairness and fiscal stability is at the heart of our Plan for Change, and the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget represents a hopeful step for communities across the country.
This could have been a consequential period for local government finance.
The Chancellor has finally decided to abolish the two-child benefit cap.
As we look towards the LGA Independent Group Annual Conference 2026, our theme – ‘Resilience for councillors, community and place’ – could not be more timely.
As we approach the end of the year, the LGA’s Reform UK Group – with only a few months under its belt – has carried out much of the good work it set out to do in September.