Fragmented funding ‘adds up to poor VFM’
English councils received at least 448 individual government grants between 2015/16 to 2018/19 in an increasingly “fragmented and reactive” use of public funding, a new LGA study reveals.
The Editorial Team
Short-termism ‘hampering’ adult social care
Short-term funding and the lack of a long-term vision for adult social care have hampered local authorities’ ability to innovate and plan for the future, according to a report by the National Audit Office.
Place-based approach ‘key’ to getting people active
The LGA has welcomed a recent report from Sport England that recognises the critical importance of a place-based approach to supporting communities to be active.
Mental health reforms ‘must ensure funding’
‘Landmark’ reforms of mental health laws must also ensure ongoing funding for councils’ mental health services, the LGA has said.
A million homes ‘awaiting development’
More than a million homes on land earmarked for development by councils have yet to be brought forward by developers for planning permission.
Spending Review 2020
The Chancellor’s statement offered councils some short-term financial certainty, but no long-term solutions to chronic problems such as adult social care.
‘Short-sighted’ decision on public health funding
Councils’ public health funding grant will be maintained but not increased in 2021 – a decision labelled “extremely short-sighted” by the LGA in its response to last month’s Spending Review.
EU transition funding for local ports
The Government has announced an additional £10 million for port health authorities ahead of the end of the EU transition period on 31 December.
More people advised to shield
The number of people considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) to COVID-19 and advised to shield has been expanded by an additional 1.7 million.
‘Review private equity role in care placements’
The LGA has urged the Government’s review of children’s social care to consider the impact of increasing private equity and stock market involvement in the system, after publishing new research that shows the six largest independent providers of placements made £219 million in profit last year.