Housebuilding targets ‘no longer compulsory’
Nationally set housebuilding targets will no longer be mandatory, following changes to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill currently before Parliament.
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Local growth plans approved
Vital investment plans to boost business, support communities and regenerate high streets have been approved by the Government, following an LGA warning that projects were at risk because of continual delays.
Cultural services ‘key to recovery’
Local culture can be used to support mental wellbeing, provide educational opportunity and create jobs as part of the recovery from the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, according to a new LGA report.
For services to local government
The Mayor of North Tyneside and the LGA’s Deputy Chief Executive were among those from across local government to be recognised in the New Year Honours List 2023.
Funding for housing experts announced
Twenty-one councils have been successful in their applications to the LGA’s 2022/23 Housing Advisers Programme (HAP), an innovative scheme to help councils overcome housing challenges in their local areas.
‘Protect’ duty expected in spring
A new ‘Protect Duty’ aimed at protecting against terrorism in public places is to be introduced across the UK.
Children’s services ‘improving’ – Ofsted
Council-run children’s services have improved significantly, despite workforce shortages compounding difficulties in education and social care, according to Ofsted.
Councils report increase in child safeguarding
Many councils are seeing an overall increase in safeguarding activity in response to the “multi-faceted challenges” children and families face, according to a new report by the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS).
Adult social care ‘invisible’
The continued “invisibility” of the adult social care sector is “increasingly damaging” to those who draw on care and those who provide unpaid care at a time of increasing need, rising costs and a shrinking workforce.
Autumn Statement: ‘better than feared’
More money for social care and schools, a 7 per cent cap on social housing rent rises, and new devolution deals in Cornwall, Suffolk, Norfolk and the North East were among the announcements in last month’s Autumn Statement.