LGA sets out sector-led improvement offer

All councils are being supported through the LGA’s improvement work with more than 95 per cent of leaders and chief executives saying our support has had a positive impact on their authority.

Last year the Local Government Association delivered 140 peer challenges, trained over 800 councillors, recruited over 120 graduates for the sector and helped councils save more than £100 million.

The LGA’s sector-led improvement peer challenges are robust and ensure strong messages are fed back to councils and actioned upon.

Amid significant and ongoing funding pressures, sector-led improvement is helping local authorities to continue to improve and innovate. By working together councils are able to share best practice and deliver excellent and efficient services for their communities.

The LGA has received confirmation of a grant of £19.2 million from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to deliver sector-level improvement in 2019/20.

In addition to delivering the ongoing programme of improvement, this year’s funding will support the launch of the Transformation and Innovation Exchange - designed by councils, for councils - which will provide a package of support and an improvement tool to help councils with their continuous improvement journey.

It will also contribute to developing local digital leadership to maximise the benefits of digital transformation for local citizens, communities and businesses.

The funding will allow a further roll out of the highly successful Housing Advisers programme, providing practical bespoke support to help councils deal with the housing, planning and homelessness challenges they are facing in their areas.

The cost of inspection, regulation and monitoring of local government was estimated by the National Audit Office at £2 billion a year when the Audit Commission existed. This contrasts with the £19.2 million for the Sector Led Improvement offer. 

Cllr Peter Fleming, Chairman of the LGA Improvement and Innovation Board, said:

“Councils have embraced sector-led improvement.

“This approach has been successful for councils with fewer cases of intervention by MHCLG since the abolition of the Audit Commission, compared with a similar period before it stopped inspecting councils.

“Sector-led improvement is locally driven, much cheaper and more effective. For every £1 of grant we receive, we help the sector save at least £5.

“We will be working closely with MHCLG ahead of the forthcoming Spending Review to ensure that the strengths and funding for sector-led improvement are secured over the longer term.” 

Notes to editors

• A memorandum of understanding has been agreed between the LGA and MHCLG to deliver SLI in 2019/20. 

• Councils in England face an overall funding gap of £8 billion by 2025. The LGA’s #CouncilsCan campaign aims to influence the forthcoming Spending Review and highlight the growing risk to vital local services if the Government does not take action to secure the financial sustainability of councils. Visit our campaign page for more information.