Councils face £6.2bn funding gap
A new relationship between central and local government – providing long-term financial certainty and empowering councils – is the only way to solve the issues facing the country.
news
LGA annual conference rescheduled
The LGA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition – originally planned for 2-4 July – has been rescheduled for 22-24 October, at the Harrogate Convention Centre.
New sexual health strategy needed as STIs rise
The LGA is calling on whoever forms the next government to launch a new 10-year sexual health strategy.
Legal duties on social care ‘may not be met’
A third of councils are not confident of being able to meet all their legal duties under the Care Act 2014 by 2025/26 – a decade after the introduction of the landmark legislation, designed to improve access to vital care and support.
New programme for local leaders launched
The LGA has launched a new programme for local leaders, exploring the various complex and demanding challenges they face – ranging from crisis management to political changes.
Framework ‘to provide accountability’
A new improvement and assurance framework – designed to help councils check that they have the right controls in place and identify where they need to become more effective – has been published by the LGA.
Staff pay offer
Council staff have been offered a pay increase of at least £1,290 from 1 April 2024, equating to 5.77 per cent for the lowest paid.
LGA political balance reviewed
Labour remains the largest political group at the LGA following the 2 May local elections, so it retains the right to nominate the organisation’s chair.
Apprentice of the year
Sara Jenner-Akehurst has been named as the 2024 Local Government Apprentice of the Year.
‘Targets needed to build more social rent homes’
The range of financial pressures facing social housing providers has led to fewer social homes being built and exacerbated a chronic social housing shortage in England, according to MPs.