Our shared work on the financial settlement for local government yielded a stopgap of a further essential £600 million, helping our councils set balanced budgets over the next month.
It is a good example of local government working successfully together to achieve more for our residents.
The LGA’s group leaders spent Valentine’s Day together at the UK Local Government Association Forum in Belfast. Local government leaders from the four countries of the UK joined forces to share vision and good ideas.
“I’m concerned about funding for the removal of floodwater from our low-lying areas”
The cross-party delegation from Northern Ireland were optimistic and pleased to have Stormont able to bring forward stalled plans and projects.
This past month, I have been particularly concerned about the need to fund the removal of floodwater from our low-lying areas.
Currently, we have a small number of rural council taxpayers protecting the nation’s food, leaving little provision for fundamental council services.
I made the case strongly at a parliamentary reception organised by the LGA Special Interest Group for Internal Board Drainage Levies, supported by Lord Porter and Liz Truss MP.
As a group of Independent, Green, Plaid Cymru and smaller party councillors, we can, do and must work together to provide a real and genuine alternative to the ‘traditional’ parties.
Independents and smaller parties are making a difference across the whole of Great Britain, making big contributions in every street and parish, and leading in our councils, in the majority or in opposition.
We are independent in how we speak and vote and, working together, we are stronger.