Briefings and responses

The situation facing councils on cultural investment is a significant challenge, given that half of councils are facing reductions.

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

We continue to engage extensively in discussions with the Government on the implementation of further business rates retention and the Fair Funding Review. These reforms are important and are something local government has called for.

While we do not agree with some of the recommendations of the Redmond Review, and others need further consideration, in our response to the review we outlined that a number of quick actions should be taken as soon as possible to have an immediate effect on the audit market.

We welcome the introduction of the Fire Safety Act and the Building Safety Bill and hope they will be an important step in the right direction. We are however concerned about some of the practicalities of the implementation of new fire safety legislation for both resident safety and local authorities.

Councils and households are working together to increase recycling rates, with plastic packaging collected by councils doubling over the past decade. Councils are ready to take on the challenge of improving recycling rates further.  

We welcome the opportunity to respond to the Government’s Reforming our Fire and Rescue Service White Paper.

The Government published the Reforming the Mental Health Act white paper in August 2021, which sets out proposed changes to the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) and wider reforms of policy and practice around it. This briefing summarises the key points of the white paper with regard to people with a learning disability and autistic people.

This briefing provides the LGA view on relevant amendments tabled by the Government on 15 November.