Briefings and responses

Local authorities dealt with a total of 900 thousand incidents of fly tipping in 2014/15, an increase of 5.6 per cent since 2013/14.

Local audit and local auditors need to be adequately skilled and have an adequate understanding of local government. It also needs to focus on areas that add value rather than on work that is not a priority for local government. It has previously been highlighted (for example in the report of the Redmond review) that many believe that the current focus on asset and pension valuations is inappropriate.

The LGA has significant concerns with the Local Authorities (Borrowing and Investment) Bill which seeks to restrict the acquisition of land and property by councils outside their own boundaries. The Bill also seeks to limit local authorities’ investment in “commercial risk-taking enterprises” and limit council borrowing for non-core activities.

On 27 February 2018 council funding was discussed at Treasury Questions. The amount of money local authorities’ hold in their reserves was debated as part of this session. This briefing sets out the LGA’s key messages on the subject and our analysis which is based on the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government data.

Councils have a strong track record in welcoming asylum seeking children.

Local authorities lead on work with local partners and local communities to help families settle into their new homes.

Devolution within England is the most effective way to create jobs, build homes, strengthen healthy communities and protect the vulnerable.

The UK’s exit from the European Union (EU) is going to have a significant impact on local government, creating challenges that will need to be addressed, but also opportunities to do things differently.

Amendment statements for border checks; family reunification; local government consultation and devolution.

2.1 The Local Government Association welcomes the opportunity to provide a response to the Government’s consultation on the Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy 2021 to 2024. The following submission outlines our key points on behalf of our membership, although local authorities will also look to respond directly to this consultation.