🔒 LGIU members can stay in the loop with key reports and policy development for English local government. Read here.

🟢 Everyone can read about inspirational practice and innovation in all four of our LGIU’s core countries, with links to resources that can help you make it real where you are. Read here.

🔒 LGIU members can get up to speed quickly with the latest developments in housing and planning. Read here.

🔒 LGIU members can access our monthly update on important policy developments, thinking and research on health and social care in the UK. Read here.

🔒 LGIU members can follow along with all legislative progress that has an impact on local government. Read here.

🟢 This month our international think tank review is open for everyone! We cover the latest findings from leading think tanks around the globe with insights that are critical for local government. Read here.

In this article, Nick Morphet of Northumberland County Council details his work with communities, parish councils and local schoolchildren to create areas of species-rich grassland on road verges. Read here.

This article explores how the London Borough of Newham, UCL’s Institute of Global Prosperity and local community infrastructure organisation, Compost CIC, are working together to set up a community research network, by and for, marginalised groups in Newham. Read here.

This month, the APPG on Local Government held its Summer Reception on the Terrace at the House of Commons. The LGIU provides secretariat support to the APPG and we were delighted to help welcome some many guests from across local government, MPs and others. Read here.

In this article, Matteo Bergamini, CEO and Founder of Shout Out UK, reflects on their recent work with the GLA and sheds light on the ways local authorities can encourage political literacy and democratic engagement. Read here.

In this article, Dr Andrew Walker, LGIU’s Head of Research, discusses the updates (or lack of) surrounding the aloof Office for Local Government. He poses some straightforward questions about the purpose of this new government office, what it may mean for trust in local government and how it will differ from the DHLUC. Read here.

In this article, Beth Haines and Dr Greg Stride, from our Local Democracy Research Centre, look into the existing research on Monitoring Officers in English local government and answer all the key questions you may have ahead of some upcoming research exploring the changing role of monitoring officers. Read here.

In this article, Richard Machin, a Senior Lecturer in social work and health at Nottingham Trent University, argues that not everything about the Covid-19 pandemic was unprecedented. Instead, the situation demonstrated the vital role local authorities play in supporting the local community and we now need to value that even more going forward. Read here.

The Society of Local Council Clerks has launched the ‘Local Council Clerk Week’ – the first celebration of its kind in England and Wales. In this article, they highlight why it’s important to raise the profile of local council clerks and recognise the wide-ranging and critical work they carry out for their communities. Read here.

The escalating migration crisis is causing major divisions between central and local government, and within and across communities. What can local authorities do to facilitate more cohesive and cooperative approaches to addressing the challenges? Read here.

This collection showcases the wide range of LGIU work that covers all things environmental governance on a local level, including best environmental practice from local leaders around the world, the importance of community engagement, and adaptation and resilience strategies. Dive in right here.

This next climate collection tackles pollution, including air, waste and water. From exclusive LGIU member content to our Global Local newsletters, plus articles which are free for anyone to read, these collections provide resources to support better policy and practice for your communities. Get into the thick of it all right here.

Last, but not least, this collection explores energy on a local level, including transitions in energy sources and powering future homes. It has plenty of key resources to offer for staff and councillors in public services that aspire to drive a sustainable energy transition in their areas. Read all about it here.

A stronger democracy begins with democracy at the local level, to build on the networks and connections of civic life that matter to people. Local government is what brings together the strands, connects the threads and enables the things that we want to happen. It brings together growth and services and gives people a stake in their places. Explore here.

Around the globe, many economies are going through what is being dubbed a ‘cost of living crisis’. There are several factors that have contributed to stopping people’s income from stretching as far as before – and for some, that now means struggling to cover basic needs such as food, warmth and shelter.  Lessons we learn now can support low-income families in future. Explore the collection.

Local government is often responsible for the last mile and the first. This collection of LGIU resources looks at how councils can manage our relationship with the car and its possible alternatives. Dive in here.