Councillor Marianne Overton MBE As local lockdowns continue to be put in place, including the whole of Wales, we have again asked the Government to ensure local leaders are at the forefront of decision-making – something ministers have agreed and need to uphold.
Happy new year! I hope everyone was able to take a break over the festive period.
More than 100 councillors attended the annual LGA Independent Group Conference and delayed annual general meeting in November.
As I write, an election is looming.
Our Independent Group members have been very clear on what is needed from the Spending Review, starting with certainty. Thus, the Chancellor’s statement covering only one year falls short.
September began with a growing number of challenges marching towards us – a forced reorganisation, planning numbers that make little sense, sweeping changes to the planning system that fail to address any current problems in the system, the ongoing fight for funding, a care crisis, climate emergency – and all at a time of a pandemic.
August was dominated by new government proposals on planning, scene setting for a White Paper on recovery and reorganisation, and the school exams fiasco.
The LGA held its annual conference remotely in July, bringing sessions to our members. Our councillors did a great job, raising good questions and entering the debate.
What are your top issues as we ‘recover’ from the effects of COVID-19?
The latest government roadmap aims for more children to be back at school and more parents back at work by 1 June.