This publication has been developed by the LGA for elected members as overarching guidance to help clarify the current public health grant conditions and mandated public health functions in local government. It has been updated to reflect the 2026/27 public health grant settlement, the consolidation of drug, alcohol and smoking cessation funding streams, the Government's 10 Year Health Plan and Neighbourhood Health Framework, and the NHS restructuring programme under way. It will be updated as the policy landscape continues to evolve.
A model reasonable adjustment policy for councils to use for their councillors, explaining the law on reasonable adjustments for councillors and an example model policy text.
A guide for anyone who has recently been elected as a councillor and is disabled, has a health condition, or physical/mental impairment that affects their day-to-day life.
This year we saw another 133 Lib Dem councillors elected, bringing our total up to 3,361 across the UK. At the time of writing 40 councils have a Liberal Democrat majority. If you add in where we lead the council either under minority control or lead in an alliance that is now 76 councils led by the Lib Dems.
Independents continue to be a credible voice at the ballot box and the independent group representation within the LGA has increased to 10.9 per cent up from 10.6 per cent in 2025 and 10.2 per cent in 2024.
Local government is the key to solving some of our biggest national challenges. Our voice is strongest when we work as a collective, speaking across party affiliations, for every region and tier of the sector. We continue to work closely with the Government – through our networks in Westminster, Whitehall and across the media – to help create the conditions for councils to thrive.
