A vibrant and inspiring conference
Thanks to so many people who attended the LGA’s recent annual conference, an especially vibrant and inspiring event.
Councillor Marianne Overton MBE
Changing lives for the better
A warm welcome to all our new and returning councillors. We look forward to an exciting time ahead, changing lives for the better.
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.
A growing Independent voice
The movement towards Independent and smaller parties is rising to take on the huge challenge of recovering confidence and trust in democracy.
Lack of sustainable funding continues
While the local government finance settlement might pull some of our councils back from the brink, we shouldn’t kid ourselves that it puts us on a sustainable footing to meet the needs of our communities or our environment.
Mitigating the Truss mini-budget
The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement has attempted to mitigate the disastrous Liz Truss Budget, adding £8.5 billion to health, social care and schools’ budgets in 2024/25, but leaving other departments to absorb the impact of higher inflation.
Exchanging ideas
Climate change and the economic outlook will be discussed at the LGA’s conference for Independent members
Councils creaking under the strain
Before the mini-Budget, the LGA had calculated a £2.4 billion shortfall in our council budgets from next May.
Winning hearts and minds everywhere
So many of our members reflected a great sadness at the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We have written to His Majesty King Charles III with sincere condolences to all the Queen’s family.
Right to buy makes it harder to find homes
I have been greatly concerned about the recent announcement to extend the Right to Buy scheme to social housing providers.