Narrowing inequalities and protecting communities

Councils lead and work with diverse communities and partners to address inequalities and build safe, cohesive and resilient communities.

Image with blue and white squares, and logo of a group of people
SDG 10 - Reduced inequalities

Reduce inequalities within and amongst countries



SDG 11 - Sustainable cities and communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Councils lead and work with diverse communities and partners to address inequalities and build cohesive and resilient communities – we will:

  • review and strengthen the LGA’s work on reducing inequalities, promoting equality through our policy messages and lobbying and our improvement and leadership support to councils
  • promote and support councils in developing the diversity of their candidates, elected members and senior leadership
  • underline the need for a strong commitment to tackling health inequalities and ensure that local government concerns and priorities resulting from the impact of COVID-19 on their communities are heard by government
  • support councils as they address the inequalities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular regard to those from ethnic groups most affected by the virus and to children and young people whose development and futures will be affected by the containment measures.

Councils lead the way in shaping communities where people feel safe – we will:

  • lead the debate on councils’ role in building safer and resilient communities and support them to reduce serious violence, domestic abuse, female genital mutilation and anti-social behaviour
  • represent councils’ interests in the UK’s developing modern slavery policies, as we work collaboratively with partners to tackle this
  • contribute to the independent review of Prevent and the counter-extremism strategy, ensuring that councils are supported to build community cohesion, promote integration, tackle extremism and deliver the Prevent duty
  • lobby for the resources, powers and data councils need to manage local outbreaks of COVID-19, including shielding the clinically vulnerable, and support them in their test, trace and outbreak management response through a sector-led improvement support programme.

Councils continue to play a leading role in the design and delivery of blue light and other services that help protect local communities – we will:

  • work with the HSE and government to establish an effective, professional and fully funded system for regulating building safety
  • lobby for sustainable funding for fire and rescue authorities and support them to become more inclusive and representative of their communities and to strengthen their leadership and governance
  • support the fire and rescue sector’s response to Phase 1 of the Grenfell Inquiry and strengthen their ability to take forward the fire reform agenda and the findings from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)
  • support police and crime panels and share best practice
  • work with councils to review and share learning from the COVID-19, to help strengthen community resilience and future emergency responses.