News

Cllr Martin Tett, Local Government Association Environment spokesman, responds to the Government’s proposals to increase plastic recycling, including a deposit scheme for plastic bottles.

“Councils are committed to building the homes the country desperately needs, however it is vital the planning process is allowed to do its job, by making sure that homes are built in the right places, are affordable to those who need them and supported by the right infrastructure."

“The Accelerated Planning Green Paper needs to include allowing councils to be able to set their own planning fees, with taxpayers currently having to subsidise the costs of planning applications by around £200 million a year."

"In bringing release dates forward, this will ensure prison-leavers have enough time to access the right help and support to prevent them heading back towards previous criminal activities.”

“No leaseholder should have to pay the costs of making their homes safe and the Secretary of State’s threat to use the legal system to ensure developers meet their responsibilities to leaseholders is a positive step in the right direction."

“It is good that government has brought forward measures to ensure that planning departments can continue to operate effectively within current public health guidelines."

The LGA has long made the case for the importance of green and outdoor spaces for people’s health and wellbeing.

Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, responds to the Government’s response to the Online Harms White Paper consultation.

"We are pleased that the Government’s response to the Committee for Standards in Public Life report acknowledges the work the LGA has undertaken to address the issues outlined in the report through the development of a Model Councillor Code of Conduct and supportive guidance in consultation with the sector."

“Social care is a complex arena spanning multiple partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors. For a long time, there have been significant challenges, including financial and workforce pressures and the COVID-19 Pandemic has only exacerbated these issues."