The LGA is doing everything it can to help councils as they respond to the COVID-19 crisis.
Local government has been unstinting in its support of national efforts to minimise the spread of coronavirus, while protecting our most vulnerable residents, supporting our local businesses and bringing together our communities.
We have always been a highly trusted part of the public sector and are clearly demonstrating, during these unprecedented times, why we’re worthy of that trust. In the Prime Minister’s press conferences, the leading role local government is playing has been made clear time and time again.
Thank you for everything you and your teams are doing – it is an honour to work alongside you.
The LGA, as your national membership body, is doing everything it can to represent the priorities of councils on the national stage and ensure you get the support you need to continue your vital work.
Our councillors and officers are having regular meetings at the highest level of government, including with the Prime Minister, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick MP, Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Helen Whately, Minister for Care.
We are working with government, providing advice on the best way to implement new measures and on changes to legislation that will make it easier for councils and their partners to refocus their work and respond effectively to the coronavirus crisis.
We have reassured ministers that councils want to do everything they can at this crucial time – but that we must be treated as equal partners and properly resourced to perform the essential roles that are expected of us.
The Government has committed to doing this, and ministers will continue to make announcements on the detail of what they are asking councils to do in the coming days and months.
We are also doing a huge amount of work directly with you. Council leaders, chief executives and directors of communications should be receiving a daily bulletin from either myself or LGA Chief Executive Mark Lloyd, with the latest updates and developments.
If you are not receiving this email, please contact [email protected]. You can follow us on Twitter at @LGAcomms and @LGAnews for the latest updates.
Please continue to liaise with your LGA principal adviser so we can use the intelligence you give us in our discussions with government and in determining how we best support councils.
We have also set up a coronavirus hub with links to important updates, resources, national guidance, public health advice and other useful material.
These include, among many other things, new LGA guidance for councillors on their role as community leaders during this public health emergency; and communications resources (including templates) put together by the LGA and councils from around the country to help us communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, from residents and businesses to at-risk groups and employees.
Do please let us know what else we can do to help, or raise your questions and concerns with us directly, by emailing [email protected].