Supporting councillors supports local democracy
All councillors – not just those with cabinet responsibilities – need more support to effectively represent and work with constituents and communities.
Showing young people a world of opportunity
Alumni networks in state schools show students that ‘someone like me’ can succeed.
Beauty in my backyard
Thurrock has been asking residents to help shape the places where they live, learn and work.
Equal partners
These are unprecedented times in which to conduct a Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) and the Chancellor has already delayed his Budget.
Looking ahead to the party conferences
Following recent ministerial changes at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, I would like to congratulate Luke Hall MP on his appointment as Regional Growth and Local Government Minister and welcome Kelly Tolhurst MP to the team as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Rough Sleeping and Housing.
Children’s care referrals fall during lockdown peak
The number of children referred to children’s social care services for support fell by almost a fifth during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown, according to LGA analysis.
A prime minister in waiting
Although very low on the list of sacrifices that coronavirus has forced on people, I was sorry not to have my annual catch-up with local government friends and colleagues from across the UK at the Labour Party Conference.
Cash to help people self-isolate
Councils have been given powers to ensure pubs and restaurants take their customers’ contact details, and will administer new support funding for people on low incomes to help them self-isolate.
Oversubscription risk for secondary school places
New analysis by the LGA has revealed that up to a third of local areas in England risk being oversubscribed for secondary school places within five years, leaving almost 80,000 young people and their families at risk of missing out on a place.
Test and trace is a joke
As I predicted, test and trace has become a joke in many parts of the country.