Briefings and responses

We agree that the current system for the payment of schools’ business rates could be rationalised, although something like the proposed system is currently used in some unitary authorities for maintained schools.  We also note that the proposed system would not alter the liability for business rates and also that it will still be part of school funding formulae and will have to be accounted for as part of schools’ accounts.

Key messages The Government forecasts the total funding available for council services to be broadly similar in 2019/20 as it is today. In the first year according to the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement there is a fall in ‘core spending power' of 2.8 per cent. Without any increase in council tax there is a fall of 5.3 percent.

From 1 June 2021 the LeDer process is changing.

This briefing provides an update of the ADASS Advice note 'Carers and Safeguarding Adults' produced in 2011 for frontline workers and brings it in line with the Care Act 2014. It is intended to be used as a practical tool and does not seek to amend or replace existing statutory guidance that may be in place. The briefing will support the improvement in practice regarding safeguarding adults as well as safeguarding their carers.

Local government still faces additional financial burdens meaning further savings are required.

On 1 July the Chair of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, wrote to the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt MP.

The new Government has been announced by Prime Minister, with personnel appointed to key departments such as the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, HM Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Department for Education.

On the high streets, footfall is down over 43 per cent compared to the same period last year. Before the pandemic, footfall had dropped over 10 per cent in the last 7 years. Internet sales had risen 21 per cent of all retail sales from 7 per cent a decade earlier and during the pandemic had jumped to nearly 33 per cent of all retail sales.

Local government needs a system that raises sufficient resources for local priorities in a way that is fair for residents and gives local politicians all the tools they need to be the leaders of their communities. For councils, it is also important that the tax system, including business rates, provides as much certainty as possible.