This collection of essays, published by the LGiU and sponsored by ACCA, tackles one of the thorniest issues in public service – how to fund local government. The Coalition agreement included a commitment to a local government finance review and in the run up to this these essays put forward ideas, questions and areas for discussion…
This discussion pamphlet explores how localism and strategic planning can work together. We know the future of local government over the next few years will be shaped by two forces: a drive towards localism and the need to achieve efficiencies and cut spending in a challenging financial context. In this pamphlet, LGiU argues that if…
The natural environment is a cost effective means to meet a range of economic, social and environmental outcomes; but it needs local leaders to recognise its worth and translate this into action. This guide, supported by Natural England, aims to present the first principles for local environmental leadership through a series of chapters that provide…
In this discussion document, the arguments for a radical and rapid devolution to local government of resources and responsibilities for tackling worklessness are set out. The many reasons why local government is ideally placed to tackle this country’s problems of entrenched worklessness are dealt with, but a key element of the argument concerns the proposed financing…
This paper calls for a new settlement between communities, local government, national government and its agencies to improve the stewardship of local natural resources, which the LGiU has named ‘Local SONAR’. The current legal framework and governance structures in the UK are not well suited to delivering sustainable development. They are too centralised and deal…
Health and wellbeing is a primary concern of local services. It is clear there will be no universal answer to improving health outcomes, rather there needs to be choice and access that give communities the ability to tailor their own path to a healthy lifestyle. In this context, Natural England and LGiU formed a partnership to…
This report was written by the LGiU for the London Borough of Southwark. It suggests proposals for dealing with the shortfall in council house funding and raising money needed to bring housing stock up to scratch without simply asking central government for more money. The report shows that the financial system for council housing has…
The LGiU was commissioned by Westminster Council to carry out research in to the growing problem of overcrowding and look at possible long-term solutions. Room to Move is the report of that research. The report recommends an an overhaul of current legislation to bring about fundamental changes to local government finance and to loosen the constraints on…
This is the final report of the All Party Parliamentary Local Government Group’s inquiry into justice in communities.