The Local
Government Association (LGA) Labour Group has set out an ambitious programme
for a future Labour Government to ensure councils are properly funded to
deliver real change for local communities: On Day One. You can read the publication here.
The publication
outlines the damage caused by Tory austerity and sets out what is needed to
address the funding gap. Cuts of almost 50% have been made to central
government funding for councils between 2010 and 2018, and Tory-run
Northamptonshire County Council issued a section 114 notice effectively
declaring it was ‘bankrupt’. It also demands new freedoms for councils -
including powers to build new council homes, open new schools, create a
children’s centre in every community and a call for the next Labour government
to invest heavily in early intervention and prevention.
Cllr Nick Forbes,
the leader of the LGA Labour Group said: “If the next Labour government
wants to deliver immediate and visible change for the many, not the few, then
the fastest and most direct route lies through local government. Communities
across the country are demanding change to fix the housing crisis and support
young people. With sufficient funding and greater freedoms local councils can
generate economic growth, build new homes and strengthen communities.”
The report has
the backing of shadow communities and local government secretary Andrew Gwynne
MP, who in a foreword to the report writes: “The future of our country
cannot be formulated by politicians in Westminster, but needs to be built in
partnership with local leaders and local people.”
‘On Day One’ is launched this evening in Committee Room
19 at the House of Commons, with contributions from Cllr Nick Forbes, Cllr Lib
Peck, and Andrew Gwynne MP. To attend, please email hannah.lazell@local.gov.uk
Manchester
Council has given a pay rise of 13% to care staff who help look after some of the city’s most
vulnerable people. Unison has welcomed the ‘fantastic news’.
Stockport Council has announced plans to build a new primary school for
children with special education needs.
Darlington Council leader Bill Dixon has welcomed the
announcement of a new local business park that could
create 3,000 local jobs.
Rokhsana Fiaz will be
Labour’s candidate in the Newham Mayoral election after winning a selection
run-off.
Jeremy Corbyn visited Carlisle Council last week
to meet with council workers who had helped communities deal with the heavy
snowfall of recent weeks.
A survey commissioned by GMB reveals that the public
would like to see the government spend more on public services, and for
more services to be brought back in-house.
Out on the campaign trail: we want your photos and will
use the best for the LGA Labour Group Annual Report. They must be high resolution and you must
have the permission of everyone in the picture. Please email to Lewis Addlington-Lee.
Merthyr Tydfil
Labour group has put forward a plan to tackle ‘period poverty’ by supplying free sanitary products to
local schools.
The South Wales Argus
carries an interview with Welsh LGA leader Debbie
Wilcox.
Mike Amesbury MP writes about the damning
National Audit Office report into council funding.
“If Ministers
seriously don’t know why rough sleeping has risen then they don’t know how to fix the problem
either.” – John Healey.
Andrew Gwynne
says the Tory Government turned a blind eye on Northamptonshire County Council.
Imperative the
Government acts now over Grenfell – Tony Lloyd.
Sue Hayman
responds to Improving Air Quality report.
Barbara Keeley
responds to new research from Independent Age.
LGA responds to Gambling Commission report
on FOBTS
Hospital
admissions due to falls by older people set to reach nearly 1,000 a day
LGA
responds to report on school funding pressures
LGA
unveils vision for fire and rescue services with focus on workforce
LGA responds
to Select Committee report on air quality
LGA
responds to the Government Integration Strategy
Three Tory councillors were barred from voting on the
council’s budget in Erewash after missing council tax payments.
Norfolk County Council’s Tory leader has branded some
local Tory MPs as ‘also rans’, and accused Cabinet minister Liz Truss of
‘running Norfolk down’.
By-election results from 8 March 2018 Redcar & Cleveland
UA, Longbeck Con 494 [32.7%]
LD 397 [26.3%]
Lab 337 [22.3%]
Ind 282 [18.7%]
Conservative gain from Independent
South Kesteven DC,
Stamford St George Con 309 [45.6%]
Ind 174 [25.7%]
Lab 114 [16.8%]
LD 68 [10.0%
Grn 13 [1.9%]
Conservative hold
South Kesteven DC,
Stamford St Johns Con 327 [39.4%]
Ind 267 [32.1%]
LD 156 [18.8%]
Lab 66 [7.9%]
Grn 15 [1.8%]
Conservative hold
By-elections taking place on 22 March 2018: Bassetlaw DC, Worksop South East Thurrock UA, Ockendon Aylesbury Vale DC, Central and Walton Chiltern DC, Ridgeway Staffordshire Moorlands DC, Leek West Cheshire East BC, Bunbury
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