Briefings and responses

Harassment, threats and intimidation of local elected representatives are completely unacceptable, and must be dealt with robustly at all levels. This includes the Government, by councils, private sector; by the police and, where relevant, by the social media companies which provide platforms for specific forms of abuse.

Good mental health is essential for a healthy and prosperous society. Unfortunately, it is easier to focus on what happens when a person becomes mentally ill, and how the health service intervenes, rather than how to keep our communities mentally well in the first place.

Whilst we support the Bill, we would like clarification from the Government that billing authorities will continue to have sole responsibility for the collection of business rates.

Tackling serious violent crime is a key priority for councils. It has become even more vital due to rising levels of this type of crime and the harm it causes to victims and young people drawn and exploited into committing it.

Despite councils’ good work, the current funding model is not sustainable. Local authorities’ public health grant funding has reduced by over £700 million in real terms between 2015/16 and 2019/20.

Early projects have already raised £164 million in capital receipts, reduced running costs by £24 million, created 5,745 jobs and released land for 3,336 homes.

We need to safeguard our democratic structures. These changes in legislation, policy and practice need to apply to protecting representatives of local government as well as national government.

The information below outlines the scale of the financial challenge facing all councils, including district councils, and the measures which must be taken to ensure local government is funded sustainably. It also sets out the pressures facing some of district councils’ most in-demand services.

Sound financial management is crucial to the financial resilience of councils and Cipfa’s proposed new code is a welcome addition to the tools and guidance that councils can use to achieve that.

Social housing providers have acted to protect residents. While some private landlords are doing the same, there is a significant issue with private landlords who are reluctant to act, are passing charges onto leaseholders, or sometimes cannot be identified.