Unsung local heroes of democracy
The polling booths and paperwork may have been packed away, and the news agenda may have moved on, but it is worth reflecting on more than just the results of May’s local elections, important as they were.
lga chairman
Changes to Right to Buy
The Government has announced a package of reforms to the Right to Buy scheme, in what is a significant lobbying success for the LGA, following years of campaigning.
Tough tiers and tests
As the lockdown in England ends, councils need reassurance that success in tackling infection rates will lead to a swift easing of local restrictions.
Building communities
The Government has an ambitious target of building 300,000 homes a year. While these homes are much needed in many areas, the fundamental importance of building communities is often forgotten.
Making progress on devolution
Away from COVID-19, the future of the Union and devolution within it made some news headlines recently, with new polling showing increased support for Scottish independence and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown setting out his thoughts on the issues.
Showing leadership in uncertain times
It’s been yet another period of rapid developments affecting local government, and I was reminded once again of the phenomenal work that councils have been delivering for months on end, in some of the most uncertain times many of us have ever known.
The importance of place
As first was going to press, the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine was being administered for the first time in the UK.
Time to look ahead
Perhaps it was inevitable that this year’s government review of public spending would get downgraded from a comprehensive, three-year plan to the one-year Spending Review Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered last month.
Equal partners
These are unprecedented times in which to conduct a Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) and the Chancellor has already delayed his Budget.
Deliver on devolved powers and money
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.