Briefings and responses

The 2024 Autumn Budget and the Spending Review are taking place in the context of challenging fiscal conditions. Our submission is aimed at improving the lives of our councils’ residents and helping the Government deliver its missions in the context of these financial challenges.

The impacts of short-term letting are felt across the country with some councils reporting growth of between 30-52 per cent in short-term lets. This indicates the need for regulation that allows local discretion and implementation.

Councils want to work as partners with central government on climate action. Councils are well-placed to do this as place-shapers, convenors of communities and partners, delivery agents, commissioners, and owners of assets.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is the domestic replacement for the European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF).

Libraries have a direct contribution to make to three of the Government’s five missions, but this will only be fully realised if there is a strategic and planned approach to embedding them in work across Government departments.

Local climate action can achieve net zero for half the cost of a national approach and deliver three times the growth, jobs, skills and health benefits

Communities rely on high quality transport provision and infrastructure to get on in life. In rural areas, transport is key to helping maintain access to vital amenities and services.

Fly-tipping is inexcusable. It is not only an eyesore for residents, but a serious public health risk, creating pollution and attracting rats and other vermin. We are calling on Government to remove the cap on fixed penalty notices.

Councils aspire to help create a truly inclusive education system, and urgently want to improve support and transform outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and their families.

Councils have a duty to ensure sufficient school places for all pupils who need them in the state sector. We want to work with the Department for Education (DfE) to monitor any impacts of these changes, particularly regarding supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).