LGA Conference
Enjoy summer as it’s not looking good for the rest of the year
The Government seems to have fallen in love with the idea of big unitary councils and elected mayors, says Paul Wheeler. But this enthusiasm for re-organisation is grim news for the multitude of mainly Conservative district councils, he adds.
Call for exercise boom to continue
Paralympian champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has made a rallying call for the exercise boom to continue after lockdown.
We're not the 'parents'
District and shire county councils would all face abolition if the Government’s formula for the devolution White Paper is implemented, says Ian Miller. And let’s hope Whitehall doesn’t think town and parish councils will need 'parenting', he adds.
Lib Dems - 'We need a devolution revolution to drive the green revolution'
Fixing social care, tackling climate change, addressing deep-seated inequalities and rebuilding the economy are the ‘enormous challenges’ ahead, says acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.
More burden-sharing than burden-busting
Last week’s funding announcement was ‘miles away from the Government’s initial vow to support local authorities in full’ - and the sector remains unsatisfied, says Dan Peters.
Screening questions
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick came to this year’s Local Government Association (LGA) conference with his name in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Jenrick: We'll back local government
Robert Jenrick has promised that Whitehall will back local government in the same way councils ‘stepped up and supported people in their time of need’.
Starmer to replace House of Lords with elected body
A Labour government will replace the House of Lords with an elected body of representatives from local and regional government, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told a virtual Local Government Association conference session.
Walking and cycling plea to avoid 'car-mageddon'
A senior councillor has warned against a ‘car-mageddon’ recovery post-lockdown as he urged the sector to invest in walking and cycling.
LGA shies away from reorganisation 'fight back'
The Local Government Association (LGA) has shied away from calls for it to launch a ‘fight back’ against reorganisation though senior members criticised any top-down approach.
LGA cancels annual conference in coronavirus crisis
The Local Government Association (LGA) annual conference has been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, it has been announced.
Does our place-shaping role risk being imperilled?
An anonymous writer ponders the incongruity between what the centre expects from local government and the ‘nature, breadth and ferocity’ of the challenges councils are facing.
Chief executives will get access to the guidance, knowledge and support they need
Joanne Roney says she intends to ensure Solace provides accessible and self-managed development options to all in a timely and appropriate format.
New Treasury team must not destroy its inheritance
Michael Burton says the power to plunge the economy into recession lies in the hands of the new Prime Minister and the new Treasury ministerial line-up.
We cannot afford to take no for an answer
Louise Round says Tandridge DC was not 'one of the lucky 50' to get through to the second round of the Future High Streets funding round. She hopes Government will not make the second stage disproportionately difficult for councils to take part in.
Phrase maze
Every conference has its concept. A phrase, word or idea that is cited on stage, only to be chucked willy nilly into all the chatter in the bars and coffee corners for the rest of the event and beyond.
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'.
