The LGA's media office provides the national voice of local government in England and Wales on the major issues of the day for national, regional and local press.
Cllr Linda Thomas, Vice Chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responds to a new Bill published today on reforms to Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).
“While it is good that councils will receive initial one-year funding to deliver the scheme at the same level, this needs to be followed through with long-term funding in the Spending Review."
“National climate change expectations and air quality targets are unlikely to be met unless councils are given long-term funding, devolved powers and easier access to complex government funding pots."
“With people living longer, increases in costs and decreases in funding, the system is at breaking point and is ramping up pressures on unpaid carers who are the backbone of the care system."
Responding to a report by the Children’s Commissioner on the state of children’s mental health services, Cllr Judith Blake, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said:
“This report supports our call for greater investment in the services that help children have mentally healthy childhoods and reduce the pressure on the services that treat mental illness in children. Supporting children early on to reduce the need for clinical interventions means more can receive help when they need it, rather than waiting until they are unwell.
“Waiting too long for
"Ensuring people are defined not by the services they receive but by the many factors that make them unique human beings must be at the heart of good social care and support."
Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, responds to a report published today by Royal London on a rise in UK cremation fees.
“With greater planning powers and resources to hold developers to account in the Budget, councils can ensure the right homes are built in the right places with the required infrastructure needed by different groups within local communities."
Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, responds to a report by Crisis and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Ending Homelessness on domestic abuse and homelessness in England.