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Dear Colleague,
Welcome to the LGA Conservative Group’s newsletter, in which we highlight the latest information associated with COVID-19 and other topical issues.
Last Wednesday, Rishi Sunak announced the Government’s spending plans for the year ahead.
Local Government core spending power is estimated to increase by 4.5% in cash terms in 2021/22. I was pleased to hear that local authorities will receive several funding including:
- Over £3 billion to deal with Covid-19 pressures next year
- £254 million to support rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness
- £300 million social care grant
Moreover, councils will have extra flexibility to increase council tax bills by 2 per cent and Adult Social Care precept by 3 per cent.
The Government is also launching a new £4 billion Levelling Up Fund in which local areas will be able to bid directly to fund local projects, such as new road schemes, upgraded railway stations, traffic-reduction measures or more libraries, museums and galleries.
To find out more about the Spending Review key announcements for councils please download the LGA’s briefing.
As we are approaching the end of nationwide restrictions, Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary has set out tier allocations across England that each area will enter in to from 2 December. Addressing the House of Commons last Thursday, Matt also said that the tier restrictions will be reviewed in every two weeks and the Contain Outbreak Management Fund will be extended so that it can provide monthly payments to local authorities facing higher restrictions.
Many of you will have mixed views about the tier level you find yourself in. It will be imperative for us to focus on fighting the virus and not the tier. At this time with a vaccine on the horizon, it is important to know that we are still not on safe ground.
I hope you will find this information useful and as always, if there is anything I or our regional lead peers can do to assist, please do not hesitate to contact us.
You can find more details about our lead peers at the bottom of this newsletter.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe OBE
Leader, LGA Conservative Group |
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For all the latest news from the LGA Conservative Group please follow us on Twitter at @LGACons
If you’d also like to subscribe to the LGA’s monthly e-bulletin of First Magazine, please visit the dedicated website.
Winter Grant Scheme
The Department for Work and Pensions has published a guidance on the Winter Grant Scheme. The scheme places an emphasis on providing food to families with children.
Mental Health
The Department of Health and Social Care has published a Staying mentally well this winter policy paper, setting out how government is supporting people of all ages, including frontline health and care workers, and across the mental health spectrum during the pandemic.
Upcoming Events
The LGA is hosting two free-to-attend events next month on Civility in public life: improving digital citizenship. Further details and to book your place are below:
Housing Advisers Programme
The LGA has launched the 2020/21 Housing Advisers Programme which will be accepting applications until 5pm on 7th January 2021. Councils can bid for up to £20,000 of funding to commission specialist advice to help them innovate in meeting the housing needs of their communities. To read more please visit the LGA website.
Best Practice
We are looking for examples of best practice from Conservative-run councils on a range of activities, including local test and trace schemes, supporting local businesses and high streets, as well helping local communities at a neighbourhood level.
The examples highlighted are obviously not exclusive and please do email us any best practice example that you feel demonstrates how Conservative councils and councillors are supporting their communities during the latest phase of the pandemic.
Conservative Regional Lead Peers
The regional lead peers and the areas they cover are as follows:
- Lord Porter of Spalding CBE - National Lead Peer & Regional Lead Peer for the South East
- Councillor Paul Middlebrough - Regional Lead Peer for the South West, Hampshire and Isle of Wight
- Councillor William Nunn - Regional Lead Peer for the East of England
- Councillor Teresa O’Neill OBE - Regional Lead Peer for London
- Councillor Glen Sanderson JP - Regional Lead Peer for the East Midlands, North East and Yorkshire & Humber
- Councillor Mike Wilcox - Regional Lead Peer for the West Midlands and North West.
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