Localism

The Local Government Association represents almost every democratically-elected local authority in England and Wales.Those councils provide mandated leadership and space for democratic debate about the future of places, as well as providing valued frontline services tailored to the needs of local people.

We are achieving greater devolution for local government by:

• lobbying to ensure place-based budgets (community budgets) are available to the whole sector and become more ambitious
• promoting the role of local democracy as the key enabler of more empowered communities and a thriving voluntary and community sector
• lobbying on new community rights, and on changes to councils' powers and governance in the Localism Bill.

We are helping councils tackle their challenges through:

• direct support to councils who are part of community budgets to develop learning for the sector
• support to councils with implementing the Localism Bill
• support to councils on commissioning from the voluntary and community sector.

In this section

Community budgets

This is a live, collaborative learning resource. Whether you are just starting on the journey or already involved, we hope you will find it useful and also contribute to its development.  

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Localism Act

The Localism Bill finally received Royal Assent on 15 November 2011. In this section you can find information about the LGA's successful lobbying to secure improvements to the original Bill, alongside resources to inspire and support councils to work in the spirit of the Localism Act..  

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Keep it REAL programme

Local government has a democratic mandate to lead all of our communities, identify a diverse array of needs and providers and prioritise spending has never been more crucial – or more challenging. Find out how the Keep it REAL programme can help you in these decisions.

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Public service reform

The Open Public Services White Paper was launched by the Government in July 2011. Read our ‘On the Day Briefing' which summarises the White Paper themes and delivers our key messages on behalf of the sector. 

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