first magazine for councillors - the magazine for local government

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Transitioning LEPs

by Councillor Martin Tett

LGA research looks at the key issues for councils.

wild hills under blue sunlight sky with broken clouds, overlain with a green graphic of the planet and environmental icons including the triangular recycling sign

Collaboration on climate action

by Councillor Darren Rodwell

A new LGA report shares local innovation from abroad.

graphic of hand putting a ballot paper into a ballot box

A sparsity of results

by Professors Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher

There is usually a sparsity of local by-elections in the weeks before the annual May contests, and 2024 is no exception.

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The chief executive’s evolving role

by Matt Prosser

Whether you’re a council leader, portfolio holder, backbencher, or member of the opposition, you will know who the chief executive of your council is.

Guidance needed to support smoking ban – LGA

by The Editorial Team

The LGA has called for sufficient lead-in time and guidance to be provided ahead of legislation on smoking and vaping coming into force, so that councils, retailers and others understand their new obligations and can prepare accordingly.

Business people’s hands stacked on each other connected by a network of lines and dots.

Updated improvement support for councils

by The Editorial Team

New, enhanced improvement tools and a wider range of councillor-focused transformation support are among the additional offers in the LGA’s 2024/25 Sector Support programme.

Sure Start ‘improved GCSE results’

by The Editorial Team

New research has shown that an early years support programme for families improved GCSE results and reduced the need for additional support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Diverse people standing with their backs to us, arms on each other’s shoulders or around their waists, looking at sunlight trees.

Social cohesion review warns of ‘significant challenges’

by The Editorial Team

An independent review by Dame Sara Khan into social cohesion and resilience has warned of “significant challenges” that impact the wellbeing of our democracy, threatening to undermine the social fabric of the country.