Warm places
As we enter March, the cost-of-living crisis remains at the forefront of everyone’s minds, with individuals and families still facing many difficulties as they try to make ends meet.
Joining the nation in celebration
Following recent announcements from Buckingham Palace, we are excited that this will be another very big year for The Big Lunch, which is being brought forward to 6-8 May as part of the celebrations for His Majesty King Charles III’s coronation.
Helping Ukrainian families rebuild their lives
Councils have a proud history of welcoming new arrivals, stepping forward at times of crisis with local partners and with local communities so families and individuals can be safe and supported.
Investing in culture
Following last month’s reshuffle, I would like to congratulate Rachel Maclean on her appointment as Housing Minister.
Take back control of council funding
There has been a lot of focus recently on oversight of councils, in light of serious financial failings at some councils, including Thurrock, Croydon, and Northamptonshire – all of which resulted in formal intervention from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).
Bus routes hanging by a thread
Bus operators face a double whammy when the Bus Recovery Grant, used to support certain routes when the pandemic resulted in passenger numbers plunging, finishes, alongside the £2-a-ride deal.
Identifying tensions in planning policies
The proposals to change our planning rules have been described by some as a dramatic return to ‘old school’ planning, with stronger control from central government.
Government ‘must engage with councils’ on care
Small allocations of funding and placing blame on social care are not the solution to tackling delays in discharging patients from hospitals, according to local government leaders.
‘Workforce crisis adding to service pressures’ – LGA
A workforce crisis is threatening vital local services, with more than nine in 10 councils experiencing staff recruitment and retention difficulties, an LGA survey has revealed.
Call for ministers to ‘recommit’ to sugar levy
Councils are calling for the Government to recommit to the sugar levy, after the University of Cambridge published one of the first long-term studies into its effectiveness.