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Councils stand ready to help the Government prioritise disadvantaged pupils in its education recovery plan and to prevent the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and young people and their peers from widening further as a result of the pandemic.

Responding to a report from the House of Lords Public Services Committee on the Government’s ambition to level up the country, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said: “The pandemic has shown that, with the right funding and freedoms, councils can improve people’s lives. It is therefore important that this report recognises that the recovery from COVID-19 needs to include greater powers being given to local councils and their communities. “Bringing greater resources and powers over key responsibilities, such as skills, transport and housing, closer to

Developed in consultation with the sector, the Core Code is designed to help employees of the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) act in the best way towards each other and while serving the public. It will sit alongside the Code of Ethics Fire Standard developed by the Fire Standards Board.

“It is good the Government continues to support councils with this latest round of funding to tackle rough sleeping."

Latest fly-tipping statistics for England 2019/20 show that local authorities were forced to clear up just under 1 million (976,000) fly-tipping incidents, from tarmac and asbestos, to tyres and even a boat.

Responding to the Prime Minister’s announcement this evening on the variant of concern originating in India, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the LGA, said: “As the Prime Minister said at his press conference this evening, the new variant is a worrying development and we all need to play our part in ensuring we limit any further transmission."

Karla Overington, Business Administration Apprentice at West Sussex County Council has been named as the 2021 Local Government Apprentice of the Year.

Council employees have been offered a pay increase of 1.50 per cent from 1 April 2021.

"A clear timeline is urgently needed from government on when concrete proposals will be brought forward."

“It is good that this research recognises that multi-agency support for pupils with SEND often complements the support offered by schools. However, the continued rise in demand for overall and new education, health and care (EHC) plans remains a pressing issue for councils as they strive to provide every child with the best possible support to meet their needs."