Launch offer for police and crime commissioners

Community safety

14 May 2012
With six months to go until elections, the LGA has set out a comprehensive offer of support to incoming police and crime commissioners (PCCs).

Adoption scorecards receive zero marks

Children and young people

11 May 2012
The LGA, Association of Directors of Children's Services and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives have jointly condemned adoption scorecards issued by the Department for Education. Read the three bodies' joint statement.

LGA briefing on the Queen's Speech

10 May 2012
After a busy two-year first session for the coalition Government, this year's Queen's Speech is thinner than usual, containing significantly fewer bills than the 23 announced in the 2010 Queen's Speech. Read the LGA's comprehensive review of the speech's salient points for local government.

Draft Care and Support Bill in the Queen's Speech

Adult social care

09 May 2012
Responding to the Queen's Speech, Sir Merrick Cockell, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "The announcement of a draft bill in the Queen's Speech is a positive step towards addressing the very real crisis we are facing in providing care to our rapidly aging population."

Run down schools could miss out on funding

Children and young people

09 May 2012
New analysis from the LGA reveals how hundreds of schools, categorised as being some of the most run-down in the country, could miss out on Government funding earmarked to fix them.

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Support

Police and Crime Commissioners

Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will be elected in 41 police force areas across England and Wales on 15 November 2012. The LGA plans to become the national representative body for PCCs once they are elected. Find out how we are working to provide a comprehensive package of support to equip PCCs for their new roles.

Finance

Universal Credit

The LGA has been working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on pilot schemes for the development of Universal Credit. Interested local authorities can apply to become a pilot area through the online application form.

Elections 2012

Local Elections 2012

The LGA produced interactive maps of England and Wales displaying the political control of councils following the results of local elections on the 4 May 2012. This provides member councils and other interested parties with the key changes based on the results.

Recent news on:

Excellence on adoption

23 March 2012

Our partnership with children's charity Coram has proved a huge success story in Harrow. Working together we have more quickly placed children waiting to be adopted, without delays or unnecessary red tape.

Council role in education

12 April 2012

Many local authorities are taking a pragmatic and positive approach to academies and the development of a more autonomous school system, and are using the change as a platform to exercise their local leadership, according to new research.

Public sector response

12 April 2012

Local government alone cannot turn around the lives of troubled families the LGA has warned, following the launch last month of the Government's programme to help an estimated 120,000 families facing problems such as unemployment and poor mental health.

Minimum alcohol price could see surge in black market booze

17 April 2012

Introducing a minimum price for alcohol and banning discounted multi-buy deals could see a surge in potentially dangerous black market booze, public health leaders are warning.

Celebrating success

27 April 2012

Councils can help the festivities around the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Games go with a real swing, writes Cllr Flick Rea

Lighting up history

30 April 2012

Thousands celebrated the restoration of Chichester's 1,800-year-old City Walls earlier this month, with a lantern parade by local school children, torch-lit picnics, and the projecting of a film about their history onto the face of the walls.

2012 Games Community Celebration Packs

Official 2012 Games Community Celebration Packs are available to buy now by local councils, community and voluntary groups and non-commercial organisations.

Hidden Talents – tackling youth unemployment

In this report we propose a new deal enabling councils and local partners to pool £1 billion of funding to support the 260,000 most disengaged young people into work and learning; and to reconnect education and skills provision with local jobs.

LGA response to changes to local authority powers on household waste collection

The LGA's response to the Lord Taylor letter reiterates members' beliefs that existing powers and penalties are important to councils in helping to encourage recycling and maintain pleasant neighbourhoods.

LG Regulation Planning Guides launched

Local Government Regulation has published two guides, designed to cut through the mass of environmental and planning jargon to provide officers with a clear overview of the key legislation that shapes the work of both professions.

Urgent action needed to tackle £11 billion flood insurance problem – Council leaders

27 February 2012

Residents and local authorities in towns, cities and villages close to water could be left facing an £11 billion liability because of unfair and unaffordable insurance premiums, council leaders have warned.