How we represent and advocate for local government

Representing local government in Parliament is a major focus of the Local Government Association (LGA). Through our Public Affairs team, we regularly arrange for local government representatives to appear in front of Select Committees, and work with parliamentarians to amend legislation, to ask parliamentary questions and to speak in debates.

We also work with our LGA vice-presidents, a cross-party group of members of the Commons and Lords who are our parliamentary champions, dedicated to raising local government issues in Parliament. We have prioritised four bills on which we will focus our lobbying efforts during this Parliament:

• The Localism Bill – running to 406 pages, this is an extremely significant piece of legislation which looks to devolve decision-making powers from Whitehall to communities and their local democratically-elected representatives, including radical changes to housing and planning policy.
• The Health and Social Care Bill – major reforms to the health service will see GP consortia commissioning services and public health functions handed over to local authorities.
• The Education Bill – will give teachers greater freedom over the curriculum and allow new providers to run state schools.
• The Policing and Social Responsibility Bill – aims to introduce directly-elected Police and Crime Commissioners and overhaul the Licensing Act 2003 with the introduction of new powers for licensing authorities.