Councillor Marianne Overton MBE 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.
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.
Climate change and the economic outlook will be discussed at the LGA’s conference for Independent members
Before the mini-Budget, the LGA had calculated a £2.4 billion shortfall in our council budgets from next May.
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.
In July, we saw the hottest day in our country’s history, and there is evidence that we should be expecting many more.
I have been greatly concerned about the recent announcement to extend the Right to Buy scheme to social housing providers.
As you read this, hundreds of Independent, Green, Plaid Cymru and smaller party candidates are out and about in their communities and working hard online, organised and determined to focus on getting the very best for their local residents.
Welcome to all new councillors, and well done to those who were re-elected!
With the arrival of the first Ukrainian families to their sponsors in Britain, I know you are preparing to help those sharing their homes and those who are arriving having escaped from this terrible war.