Planning reforms – the good, the bad and the ugly
I had got my hopes up that we had moved away from government diktats and demonising of councils, but the language being used around the Government’s proposed planning reforms is just that.
group leaders
Holding each other to account
Elected from within their local communities, and tasked with making decisions that affect the whole community, it is right that councillors are held accountable for their conduct and integrity while fulfilling their role.
Working together locally and nationally
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.
Retaining the ‘local’ in local 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?
Ensuring no child goes hungry
Central and local government need to work together to build a healthier and fairer society.
Solar on roofs, not farmland
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unrest and increasing tariffs unfold, I am very concerned about the threat to our farmland from the drive to install outdated solar panels.
Empowering local decision-makers
Let me take the opportunity in this first first magazine of 2025 to wish all LGA member councils a very happy new year.
Local consensus needed on reorganisation
I hope colleagues across local government had a good Christmas and I am sure everyone is back into the swing of things as we enter 2025.
Unitary debates and social care commissions
It will be another busy year for local government in 2025.
Devolution looks like centralisation
Wishing you a healthy and successful 2025!