News

“It is great news for all those in adult education that the Government has decided to continue funding for courses beyond just focusing on employment, recognising the wider benefits that community learning brings, which we and other bodies such as Holex have been calling for."

Single use vapes, such as Elf bars and Lost Mary should be banned on environmental and health grounds, councils say for the first time today.

“Councils are committed to working with government and developers to build the housing the country needs, with land for more than 2.6 million homes allocated in Local Plans and nine in 10 planning applications being approved."

“While it is positive to see the size of the social care workforce increasing, we know that issues remain with a huge number of vacancies unfilled."

“Councils want courts to look at fly-tipping as an offence first, rather than at the individual and their ability to pay, as well as more use of suspended sentences, or custodial sentences for anyone convicted of a second fly-tipping offence."

“It’s fantastic to see a rapid rise in planning permissions for green energy projects. However, the numbers awaiting construction is concerning, with many pointing to delays in securing the grid infrastructure that connects solar panels to kettles."

Nearly nine in 10 councils fear that nursery closures this year will undermine capacity ahead of the rollout of the Government’s extension of the 30 hours free childcare scheme, new research by the Local Government Association reveals today. 

“It is clear that most councils are struggling to meet all of their legal duties under the Care Act. Given that, it seems absurd to push ahead with single word ratings for adult social care departments."

The number of local councillors who have reported feeling at risk in their role due to rising levels of abuse and intimidation has increased to a new high in the last year.

“Making it easier to access vital funding is a valued move by government, which will boost levelling up and help reinvigorate our communities."