Following the 1 May local elections, I want to recognise and send my personal commiserations to colleagues across the political spectrum who were unsuccessful at the ballot box.
I understand how much effort goes into fighting elections and the huge personal sacrifices we make so that we can serve our local people to the best of our abilities. Thank you for your service.
To the mayors and hundreds of new councillors elected for the first time, welcome to the local government family, and please take advantage of the LGA’s support (see www.local.gov.uk/councillor-hub).
Councillors and officers – new and old – are dedicated public servants.
While we may represent different political parties, or indeed choose to stand independently, we are all united in our determination to make a difference to our communities.
However, to improve the lives of our residents and create thriving places, we need support from national government.
The LGA continues to highlight the pressures facing councils and, ahead of the Spending Review on 11 June, we have called on the Government to plug the funding gap and deliver on its commitment to multi-year settlements.
We have also been clear to Government that councils can deliver the solutions to the national challenges we face. We want to seize the opportunities ahead of us with enhanced powers, further responsibility and autonomy for our areas.
Devolution – delivered in the right way and in genuine partnership with local leaders – can make this a reality, and it was a pleasure to discuss these issues with council leaders and mayors at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum in Leeds in late May.
With even more flexibility at a local level, we can go further to fulfil our essential role and deliver services that meet the needs of residents now and in the future.