Briefings and responses

Councils have demonstrated throughout the pandemic that they are uniquely placed to respond to local needs and reach their most vulnerable residents.

There is no hard evidence to support the argument that removing the flexibility for councils to charge will reduce the amount of fly-tipped waste.

The first principle of the waste hierarchy is to prevent waste in the first place, and this is where action on net zero must focus.

Councils want to work as partners with central government, and Ofgem, to tackle climate change with a focus on transitioning to net zero.

We support the principle of biodiversity net gain and the broader ambitions of the 25 Year Environment Plan to be the first generation to leave our natural environment in a better state than we found it.

Councils want to work as partners with the OEP to defend environmental law and are well-placed to do this as place-shapers, convenors of communities and partners, delivery agents, commissioners, and owners of assets.

LGA polling in June 2021 found that 73 per cent of respondents most trusted their local councils compared to 17 per cent that most trusted government when it came to local decision making. Based on the results of this polling, government should strongly consider forming a close working relationship with councils, via the LGA, to help facilitate consumers in making the right technical and economic choices.

Councils want to work as partners with central government to tackle climate change and are well-placed to do this as place-shapers, convenors of communities and partners, delivery agents, commissioners and owners of assets. Net zero can only be achieved with decarbonisation happening in every place across the country and this will require local leadership.

The LGA welcomes the increased focus on Local Nature Recovery and reversing the decline of biodiversity as set out in the Environment Bill, but government needs to consider all the measures to enhance nature, set out in the Environment Bill holistically, so as not to miss opportunities of efficiency.

Councils and Directors of Public Health are committed to making their local areas healthier places to live and are already delivering when it comes to tackling air pollution.