Briefings and responses

Fly-tipping is inexcusable. We are calling on Government to remove the cap on fixed penalty notices.

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 LGA has supported the principle to reduce emissions via the carbon Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). We have stressed, however, that the scheme can only properly achieve its objectives by putting cost incentives in the right place with a priority focus on reducing the production of fossil-based waste in the first place.

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

Protecting the natural environment is a big national challenge, and increasing the amount of green and blue infrastructure across the country will affect all communities. Local government has a crucial role to play as enablers and convenors, holding the key for action in local areas.

Local government has been excited by the potential of the resource and waste reforms to achieve transformational change. It is important to seize this opportunity, rather than miss it or have it risk our progress to date. This briefing summarises our current views on the resource and waste reforms.

Energy supply is the second largest contributor to UK domestic greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022, energy supply accounted for 20 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions. Community energy refers to energy projects that are owned, controlled, or directly benefit local communities.

Working in partnership with local government on shared goals could be as effective as statutory guidance on litter enforcement, and would allow for local flexibility. Litter is not just a local authority problem, and the LGA would like to see the organisations that produce and sell packaged items take responsibility for litter.

We are pleased that the Government has listened to the LGA and councils and decided not to significantly reduce the flexibilities in how councils collect waste from people’s homes.

It is good to see that Defra’s recognises the need for urgency after a long period of delay, but decisions made without proper consideration of the evidence may have unforeseen consequences for councils.