Publications

The Psychoactive Substances Act came into effect on 26 May 2016. The Act bans the production, distribution, sale and supply of psychoactive substances. The LGA lobbied for a ban of psychoactive substances and supported the Act as it progressed through Parliament and became law.

Public health has always been a key consideration for alcohol policy. However, until recently, health authorities had little or no input into the licensing process. This briefing aims to place health bodies' new role in alcohol licensing in a strategic context, and to provide guidance to those who will be delivering the responsible authority role.

The Licensing Act 2003 (the Act) introduced a modern, integrated scheme, administered by local authorities and covering the retail sale of alcohol, the supply of alcohol, the provision of various forms of entertainment and the provision of late night refreshment. The focus of the Act is the promotion of the four statutory licensing objectives:

This report outlines the findings of an online survey which asked Directors of Public Health in England about the introduction of a public health objective within the Licensing Act.

This report looks at what public health has helped to achieve and what could have been done better during COVID-19. It also looks to the future and the significant organisational changes ahead of us.

This year's eleventh annual public health report reflects on the last year and focusses on how councils have responded to the rising cost of living.

Addressing violence is not a single agency issue, as it is the culmination of many different issues. It is only by pursuing a strategic, coordinated approach involving a range of agencies, including partnerships between statutory and voluntary organisations, that violent crime can be effectively addressed.

This year's tenth LGA public health annual report reflects on 10 years of public health in local government and looks forward to the opportunities and challenges of the coming years.

In November 2017 the LGA conducted a survey of lead members of public health in England to capture the thoughts of local leaders on public health delivered by their local authority.

The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) and the Local Government Association (LGA), in consultation with SOLACE, have developed a tool to support system leaders in local authorities in defining and ensuring good public health at place.