Schools’ return is ‘first step’ out of lockdown
As first was going to press, schools in England were preparing for the return of all pupils from 8 March, as part of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.
Tackling domestic abuse
The LGA supports the creation of a statutory definition of domestic abuse, and the inclusion of economic abuse within this. We are also pleased to see that the new legislation will place the role of the domestic abuse commissioner on a statutory footing.
£23m vaccine boost as deaths pass 100,000
The Government has allocated more than £23 million to 60 councils and voluntary groups across England to expand work to support those most at risk from COVID-19, and to boost vaccine take-up.
Empty offices ‘could lead to poor housing conversions’
The LGA has warned that office blocks left empty following the pandemic are at risk of being turned into potentially substandard housing under permitted development rights, which allow developers to convert buildings into homes without planning permission.
Strong support for remote meetings to continue
More than 80 per cent of councils would be very likely or fairly likely to conduct meetings remotely once the coronavirus emergency is over, if they had the power to do so, according to an LGA survey.
Fixing the council safety net
In April 2013, the Government changed how crisis support was delivered.
‘Align violence strategy and domestic abuse law’
The Government’s next Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy (VAWG) needs to align with other strategies and legislation, including the Domestic Abuse Bill.
Councils play lead role in vaccine rollout
Councils’ unstinting work to help meet the Government’s target of vaccinating the first four priority groups has earned the praise of a Cabinet minister.
Fire services ‘responded well’ to pandemic
Fire and rescue services have responded very well to the pandemic, with services maintaining their ability to respond to fires and many providing pandemic-specific support outside their statutory duties.
Children locked down in temporary accommodation
The LGA has warned that around 450 primary schools’ worth of homeless children are spending lockdown in temporary accommodation, amid a chronic shortage of affordable housing.