Briefings and responses

This briefing details the new Bills of relevance to local government and the LGA’s initial response to them.

While councils have legal responsibilities to promote and maintain cohesion as set out in the Public Sector Equality Duty, it cannot be reduced to compliance alone. Cohesive communities are also resilient communities.

The LGA Safer and Stronger Communities Committee has submitted a response to the Government’s consultation on giving mayors and councillors access to the Local Government Pension scheme, supporting proposals for councillors to have the right to access the pension scheme going forward.

Reforms to the councillor standards framework should aim to create an environment and council culture that fosters respectful democratic debate. The LGA supports the Government’s objectives of empowering councils to deliver the local outcomes residents expect without micromanagement from the centre.

Do you agree with the broad principle of granting local authorities powers to allow remote attendance at formal meetings? The LGA responded “Yes”. 

Read our submission to the Government’s Civil Society Covenant Framework consultation, submitted on 18 December 2024.

The purpose of this consultation was to seek views on whether eligibility for Healthy Start should be extended further to include others who do not have access to public funds.

Councils want to work with government on developing and funding a better system for accommodating and supporting asylum seekers.

Local government is committed to innovative community engagement with residents to identify key issues in their communities and co-produce solutions. Many councils have adopted methodologies such as citizens’ assemblies, juries and panels to help engage with voices and communities who might otherwise not be heard.

The Department for Housing, Levelling Up and Communities held a consultation from 30 January to 26 March 2024 on proposed changes to the social housing allocation system, and proposals relating to existing tenants living in social housing.