communities - first magazine for councillors

colourful graphic of people running, walking a dog, cycling and pushing a child’s buggy against a backdrop of housing and civic buildings dotted around small green hills and trees

Neighbourhood health

by The Editorial Team

Unlocking the potential of local places.

couple sitting with young son looking at paperwork

Crisis support for the vulnerable

by Dame Diana Johnson DBE

For the first time, local councils can finally plan long-term crisis support to help vulnerable people in their communities, with the introduction of the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) in England.

aerial photos above Liverpool and the River Mersey at sunset; and Cheshire coastline with town and pier

Out and about

by Councillor Louise Gittins

From Taunton and Torbay to visiting neighbours across Cheshire and Merseyside, one of my greatest pleasures as LGA Chair is visiting our member councils to find out firsthand about the incredible work they are doing every day for local residents.

cut-outs of different men and women’s heads and shoulders, each filled with different colours and pattens of stripes, spots, bands and squiggles

Social cohesion

by The Editorial Team

Cohesive communities are safer and more resilient.

mum and dad at kitchen table with toddler daughter pointing at tablet

High-speed digital

by The Editorial Team

The key to inclusive growth.

: graphic of paper cut-outs of talking heads in different colours, with speech bubbles above

A cross-sector voice

by Councillor Louise Gittins

Engaging ministers on what matters to councils.

two men in wellies and coats with a dog on a small patch of grass on the bank of a flooded river, looking across to a flooded house on the other bank

Civil resilience

by Councillor Matt Boughton

A new guide for councillors.

montage of photos representing council services, including medic administering a covid vaccination and close-up of woman vaping (public health), residents clearing up streets after summer 2024 far-right disturbances (community safety), homeless person at bottom of steps in pedestrian subway, a local bus driving past a bus stop, a teacher working with a young pupil with Down Syndrome, and a care worker with tablet discussing care arrangements with an older woman

Challenge and change

by Councillor Louise Gittins

Local government’s resilience and agility will see us through 2025.

photo of LGA Chair Cllr Louise Gittins speaking from podium at LGA annual conference in Harrogate;

The best of local government

by Councillor Louise Gittins

Sharing our passion for serving our communities.

photo of members of the Middlesbrough community coming together to clean up their streets

After the riots

by Councillor Louise Gittins

Building community cohesion requires a long-term strategic approach.