Getting communities back on their feet
With the hospitality sector now open, the country is slowly leaving the first phase of the pandemic.
With the hospitality sector now open, the country is slowly leaving the first phase of the pandemic.
When a pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization on 11 March, I was fresh out of university and only five months into my role at St Albans City & District Council.
As the national governing body for tennis, we would normally be reflecting on another brilliant grass court season, though sadly this year that’s not the case.
The LGA has long called for greater devolution to councils, for local leaders to have the powers and resources they need to better deliver locally determined and democratically accountable outcomes.
The LGA’s virtual annual conference, spread over two weeks in July, featured webinars with prominent speakers from local and central government, including Secretary of State Robert Jenrick MP and Local Government Minister Simon Clarke MP.
After six months at the frontline of the emergency response to COVID-19, the unique ability of councils to respond to the needs of local communities has never been more evident.
The Prime Minster has demanded that we “build, build, build” our way out of the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.
The LGA held its annual conference remotely in July, bringing sessions to our members. Our councillors did a great job, raising good questions and entering the debate.
Councillors and their councils have the democratic mandate, expertise and local insights to change our communities for the better.
Three-quarters of residents are satisfied with their local councils – the highest figure the LGA has ever recorded in its quarterly polling.