first magazine for councillors - the magazine for local government

Autumn Statement to ‘stimulate growth’

The Government announced a suite of measures primarily aimed at increasing economic productivity and boosting investment by businesses in November’s Autumn Statement.

A river bursts its banks on a high street.

Public ‘not prepared for climate change’

by The Editorial Team

Just 5 per cent of the British public feel prepared for climate change, according to an LGA poll.

The King’s Speech

by The Editorial Team

The Government has plans for 21 bills, including five on law and order.

close-up of a woman holding a vape to her face and smoke coming out of her mouth.

Reforming smoking and vaping

by Professor Sir Chris Whitty

Smoking causes extraordinary damage across the country.

A mixed picture

by Professors Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher

Following on from their spectacular 2021 gain in the North Shropshire parliamentary by-election, Liberal Democrats in the county are thriving.

row of terraced red-brick houses with metal boards on doors and windows

Turning empty houses into homes

by Councillor Darren Rodwell

A new report aims to help bring vacant properties back into use.

Government rejects four-day week

by The Editorial Team

Councils in England have been told not to adopt four-day working weeks and the only council currently trialling such a scheme has been put under review.

The number of long-term empty homes in England has increased by nearly 10 per cent over the past five years – the equivalent of just over 1 per cent of the country’s housing stock, according to a new report from the LGA and the Empty Homes Network.