While February’s final local government finance settlement confirmed a 6.8 per cent cash increase and extra money towards increased employer National Insurance contributions, councils’ finances remain extremely challenging.
For the first time in 15 years, Labour councillors from around the country came together at the Labour Local Government Conference under a Labour Government.
As we continue to discuss devolution and the reorganisation of local government following the publication of the English Devolution White Paper, the one question councillors need to have on their minds is: how does this benefit my community?
Central and local government need to work together to build a healthier and fairer society.
As global unrest and increasing tariffs unfold, I am very concerned about the threat to our farmland from the drive to install outdated solar panels.
While eagerly awaiting the local government settlement at the end of 2024, Welsh councils were yet again called on to respond to widespread damage and disruption wrought by appalling weather conditions.
Improving take-up of the early education entitlement among disadvantaged children is key to meeting the government target of 75 per cent of five-year-olds being ‘ready to learn’ by 2028.
As we begin 2025, I want to reflect on a key event from the end of 2024 that will inform how we approach the next 12 months.
Let me take the opportunity in this first first magazine of 2025 to wish all LGA member councils a very happy new year.
