This time last year, I reflected on a 2021 dominated by COVID-19.
I think we were all hoping that, in 2022, with the worst of the pandemic behind us, we would be able to return our focus to the big ‘bread and butter’ issues that make a difference to our local communities – from housing and planning, adult and children’s social care, levelling up and devolution to climate change, educational attainment and special educational needs and disabilities, workforce and skills, public health, and emptying the bins.
Instead, on 24 February, Russia invaded Ukraine. Councils were again called upon to step up – supporting new arrivals escaping the war, and responding to the consequent economic and political turmoil triggered by rising fuel and food costs.
While the nature of the crises we face has changed, what has not changed is councils’ ability and determination to make a difference to the people they serve and their local areas.
Once again, in 2022, we saw the very best of local government in our public services and in our support for our residents – young, old and new.
Councils have demonstrated time and time again their ability to come up with effective local solutions to local and national problems, and there is clear and significant evidence that outcomes improve – and the country gets better value for money – when councils have the freedoms and funding to make those local decisions.
The Government’s renewed commitment to devolution, with a £1.4 billion deal for the North East of England – the sixth in 2022, announced late last month – and Labour’s proposals to give councils more employment and training powers, are all steps in the right direction towards decisions about local services being taken closer to the people they affect.