We will be delivering three major local authority-led projects in 2018 that will provide a voice for the sector and move the dial on some of the most urgent issues within local government – homelessness, finance and public trust.
We will work with a wide range of council representatives to challenge central government’s record on localism and find solutions that work for local people. Each commission will be led by a steering group drawn from LGiU membership.
Homelessness Commission
We will investigate what councils can do to prevent and address homelessness in line with and beyond new duties. Contact Andrew Walker
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Public Trust Lab
We will explore issues of trust between the citizen and state and what difference changing levels of trust have on outcomes in services and on a vibrant democracy. Contact Ingrid Koehler
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Local Finance Taskforce
We will address the precarious financial situation and provide a leading voice to demand answers on how we fund our vital local public services. Contact Jennifer Glover
How you can help
We are keen for you to get involved by sharing your stories and experience, participating in events and joining sounding boards. We are looking at new ways to involve you!
We will be using these email groups to call for opinions, case studies and to keep you in the loop, so keep an eye out for our monthly updates.
Make sure you’re signed up to our virtual stakeholder groups.
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Roundup of 2017’s policy work
2017 was a busy year in local government, thanks for being with us for the journey. Here are some of our highlights:
Finance
- Annual State of Local Government Finance Survey, which is running again this year.
- Joint publication with the Institute of Fiscal Studies and PwC, The Local Vantage
- Long-form essay, Local Government: In the money?, which drilled down into 100% Business Rate Retention
- Guide to crowdfunding for local government
- Inaugural member-only Policy Café on local growth in Bradford
Democracy
- Beyond Devolution, the report of our Devolution Network of council leaders and chief executives
- Year-long Commission with The Fawcett Society asking Does Local Government Work for Women?
- Tackling Hate Crime seminar
- Out for the Count, our annual local election campaign and live results coverage
- C’llr Achievement Awards 2017
Services
- Paying for It looked at the human cost of low priced care
- Development continued on CoCare, our app with Kingston Council to support outcomes-based commissioning in home care
- Building Connected Communities, with the Ramblers, looked at planning to create a better outdoor experience
- Regional roundtables on digital leadership with Vodafone
- Start of the Possible, the first ever comprehensive survey of councillors on their attitudes to digital
Reviving Localism
Jen Glover writes about business rate retention; Andrew Walker discusses lessons learned from the devolution experiment in Greater Manchester; and Ingrid Koehler looks at prospects for adult social care.
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Want to be involved with LGiU’s policy programme? Then join our virtual stakeholder groups!
