News

“Councils want to work with government to ensure every child attends a school where they can be happy, safe and reach their full potential.

 Responding to the Government consultation on the changes to planning committees, Cllr Carl Cashman, Vice Chair of the LGA’s Inclusive Growth Committee, said: “While we broadly support the Government’s intention to streamline and speed up the planning system, we are concerned these proposals risk eroding the core democratic mandate of planning committees and stop councils from responding properly to local circumstances.    “Councils need to be able to make arrangements that suit their needs – from deciding the size of planning committees, to when a development needs to be called in, to avoiding

More than half (52 per cent) of adult social workers experience increased severity and complexity of need in their caseloads, while capacity and resources do not keep pace with the demand, a new survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) reveals.

“While Right to Buy (RTB) has supported many into homeownership, the scheme has significantly impacted council housing stock as councils struggle to deliver homes needed to replace those bought through the scheme."

The creation of a smokefree generation, preventing young people from ever starting to smoke, is one of the most effective ways to improve health outcomes and manage future pressure on our health and care services.

“For the SEND reforms to succeed, it is vital that children with SEND who require support receive this in a mainstream setting where appropriate."

Once polling closes on 7 May, councils will begin counting votes and as the results emerge, LGA Research colleagues will analyse the outcome and see how the results may have impacted on the LGA’s political proportionality.

We’re delighted to welcome Jenny Rowlands who today joins the LGA as our Interim Chief Executive.

“Local government is at its best when it is empowered, properly funded, and recognised as an equal partner in delivering national reform. "

Following the local elections held on Thursday 7 May 2026, the LGA’s political proportionality has now been calculated and independently verified.