LGA Conference
Don't allow this strange summer lull to dilute our focus
There will come a time when a new administration will need a new domestic policy agenda, says John O'Brien. We have to make sure we continue to show how councils should be a vital part of that future, he adds.
Showtime by the seaside
Ministers, mandarins, town hall, Whitehall and more all met in Bournemouth last week for the Local Government Association conference. Michael Burton reports on the highlights
Rolling out a new institutionalism
Dr Jonathan Carr-West wonders if, alongside new localism, we need a new institutionalism too?
How can the financial settlement meet its deadline?
The clock is ticking on the countdown to publication of the financial settlement for 2020/21, says Michael Burton - but the timetable is 'spectacularly complex'.
Confidence collapses as statutory services face meltdown
Research by LGA reveals councils will struggle to meet legal obligations within three years.
Non-metropolitan councils need the power to tackle barriers to growth
The Post-Brexit England Commission’s final report has set out a prospectus to Government of ‘tangible, practical proposals’ with the potential to ‘make a difference to local communities quickly’.
The clock is ticking on the push for devolution
There will be little bandwidth for local government policy in the coming months, says Heather Jameson. Her lesson to the victor of the LGA's very own leadership election is: don't wait.
More joined up approach is needed from central Government to tackle county lines
Central Government departments work in silos on tackling serious violence and county lines and need to work together ‘in a more smart way’, says a council expert.
Conquering housing’s many complexities
Cllr Martin Tett highlights how the LGA is working for councils to be given the powers and funding to fix Britain’s broken housing ladder by building new, social rented houses.
Bringing in the changes
If the Government fails to adequately fund local government there is a real risk to the future financial viability of some services and councils, writes Mark Lloyd as the LGA annual conference gets into full swing.
Time for a UK-wide debate on tourism levies
Cities south of the border including Birmingham have plans to consider tourism levies. Cllr Judith Blake says Core Cities UK believes it's time for a national discussion about whether one might work in the UK.
Brokenshire calls for 'new deal for local government'
Communities secretary James Brokenshire has called on the next Prime Minister to publish a Green Paper on a new deal between local and central government.
LGA Conference 2019
The MJ is bringing you all the latest news and features from this year's Local Government Association Conference in Bournemouth.
Bring it on – give it to us
James Jamieson is the newly-elected chairman of the Local Government Association. He talks to Heather Jameson about his priorities. He wants councils to have ‘not just the responsibility, we want the resources and the responsibility’
LGA politics in a time of turmoil
As the sector descends on Bournemouth for the Local Government Association conference this week, the four political groups outline their priorities for the coming year.
Brokenshire's 10 minutes of fame
Newish communities secretary James Brokenshire was treated a bit like a celebrity at his first Local Government Association (LGA) conference.
Brokenshire pushed on Brexit
Local government has presented communities secretary James Brokenshire with a list of Brexit-related issues that need immediate solutions.
Cable: Commercial forays utterly bizarre
The leader of the Lib Dems has said it is ‘utterly bizarre’ that councils are buying up commercial investments miles from their areas.
Forbes calls for new funding approach
Senior vice-chair of the Local Government Association (LGA), Cllr Nick Forbes, has called for a ‘very different approach’ to the way councils are funded.
Sunak unveils digital declaration
The Government has announced a new digital declaration, backed up by £7.5m funding, to help councils transform their online services.