Briefings and responses

This briefing aims to provide useful advice for any councils becoming unitary authorities and shares an overview of lessons learnt from a number of councils who have brought regulatory services together during this process.

Challenges caused by the systematic underfunding of early years provision are being exacerbated by the rising cost of living and inflationary pressures. This is negatively impacting the financial viability of early years providers, the quality and access of childcare provision, and the availability of good support for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).

This briefing covers the provisional local government finance settlement for 2023/24 which was announced on 19 December 2022.

A short letter to the Economy Company Obligation Plus (ECO+) in response to the ECO+ consultation.

Councils in England are currently the biggest funder of sport and leisure services and facilities. Leisure operators face bills up to 200 percent higher this year compared to 2019 (the last normal operating year), with costs set to grow by up to 240 percent next year.

While the LGA welcomes the money to pilot new approaches and build on existing good practice, we question whether the scale of the investment matches the scale of the ambition. Any positive outcomes emanating from the pilots must be given sustainable long-term funding.

Business rates account for around a quarter of all council spending power and can help towards the Government’s levelling up ambition.

The LGA supports the overall aims of the Online Safety Bill (OSB), which makes provisions for Ofcom to regulate certain internet services. The regulation proposed in this Bill is aimed at ensuring platforms have systems and processes in place to deal with illegal and harmful content and their associated risk.

We are deeply concerned that the proposed risk-mitigation measures in clause 71 of the Bill potentially give the Secretary of State significant powers to intervene in a local authority. There is a danger that the formula-based approach outlined in the Bill could impact more widely than intended. It is vital that the Government undertakes full engagement with the sector, including full consultation before enacting the regulations arising from the Bill.

Councils want to do all they can to keep children and young people safe and to help them to thrive.