Briefings and responses

Alongside Council Tax, business rates represent the largest source of income for councils. In 2018/19 business rates are forecast to raise a total of £24.8 billion, of which about £12 billion is expected to be retained by councils under the current 50 per cent scheme.

The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill will convert the entire body of EU law into UK law, with the intention of allowing businesses to continue operating and providing fairness to individuals, knowing the rules have not changed when the UK leaves the EU.

Building cohesive communities can only be successful with an in-depth understanding of that locality. Councils’ position at the heart of their communities, provides them with a unique vantage point and the knowledge to both respond, and build resilience, to integration challenges, alongside local partners.

The new Domestic Abuse Bill has the potential to make important changes to help improve the lives of victims of domestic abuse.

It is vitally important that the nation’s local roads network enables commuters, businesses, residents and visitors to travel easily and freely within our local areas.

We are seeking assurances from the Government that this Bill will have no detrimental impact on local government.

The LGA is supportive of measures to provide greater clarity for consumers around terms used to describe the alcohol content of products, and for there to be consistency in the use of terms used to describe low alcohol products.

Section 19 and 22 operators play an important role in the provision of transport for councils and are often the only means by which people can maintain an independent life, reducing the demands on other public services.

The purpose of this briefing is to update councils on latest developments regarding payment of sleep-in shifts in adult social care. Although this briefing focuses on adults, the issue is also relevant to children’s services. 

The planning process needs developers, councils and local communities to work together to create effective partnerships. The earlier in the planning process these relationships are built, the more likely it is that positive outcomes will be achieved for local communities from new development.