Briefings and responses

Reforms to the councillor standards framework should aim to create an environment and council culture that fosters respectful democratic debate. The LGA supports the Government’s objectives of empowering councils to deliver the local outcomes residents expect without micromanagement from the centre.

Inclusive SEND reform can deliver better outcomes for every child at a fraction of future costs, while safeguarding local authority budgets

This paper invited views on how the government could reform planning committees to support a plan-led system and ensure appropriate democratic oversight.

MHCLG and Defra invited feedback on proposals to use funding from development to deliver environmental improvements. The proposals were issued on 15 December 2024 with a closing date of 21February 2025.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consulted on a range of proposals aimed at implementing technical reforms to the compulsory purchase process to make it cheaper, quicker and fairer. The consultation ran from 19 December 2024 to 13 February 2025.

This response has been approved by the LGA Chair and Group Leaders, and Economy and Resources Board Lead Members.

There is a clear and widely accepted need to simplify local authority financial reporting. The complexity of local authority accounts has contributed significantly to the current crisis in local audit

We believe that the funding for LEP functions should be integrated into a simplified, consolidated and long-term approach to growth funding.

Debate on the importance and programme of work to ensure the Creative Industries contribute to fulfilling the Government’s growth mission, with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country, House of Lords

Local government is vital for the UK's AI strategy success, but faces challenges in digital transformation and AI adoption.