Challenges and opportunities
With less than a week to go until the 1 May local elections in England, I wanted to put on record my thanks to all those colleagues who are standing for re-election or standing down.
lga chairman
Drip-feed funding ‘weakening’ services
While February’s final local government finance settlement confirmed a 6.8 per cent cash increase and extra money towards increased employer National Insurance contributions, councils’ finances remain extremely challenging.
Taking the lead
As we begin 2025, I want to reflect on a key event from the end of 2024 that will inform how we approach the next 12 months.
Investing in prevention
The Government’s finance policy statement, published in late November, outlined its intentions for the provisional local government finance settlement for 2025/26.
A regional focus
Visiting local authorities to find out about the amazing work you are doing on behalf of your residents is one of the most enjoyable, but also humbling, parts of my role as Chair of the LGA.
Prevention is better than cure
The Household Support Fund was a lifeline to councils and their communities when it was first introduced in October 2021.
Winds of change
It’s been a whirlwind of change since the general election – at the LGA, locally, and nationally.
Caring for care leavers
As first was going to press, I was speaking at the launch of a new fund to support young people leaving local authority care.
Civility and service
With council, mayoral and police and crime commissioner elections just over a month away, I wanted to say thank you to everyone in local government who helps ensure our local democracy works effectively.
Local services matter
Despite councils’ best efforts to protect services, the financial challenges they face from rising cost and demand pressures are having a marked impact on service provision.