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• Post-16 education structure should be "radically slimmed down" councils say

  The Local Government Association (LGA) and Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) are calling for layers of bureaucracy in the new system which will provide education and training for 16 to 19 year olds to be cut out to ensure resources are focused on the frontline.

  Added on: 8 February 2010

• LG Challenge - Coventry challenge a huge success as council takes forward campaign ideas

  The final ten contestants have taken part in the first ever Local Government Challenge. Coventry City Council was selected to host the first of five high profile events which will see contestants from local authorities across England and Wales pitted against each other for the final prize – a prestigious £10,000 Bruce-Lockhart scholarship.

  Added on: 8 February 2010

• Reduction in child deaths a testament to the efforts of social workers

  Responding to reports of new research which suggests the number of violent deaths among children in England and Wales has fallen by almost 40% in the past 30 years, Cllr Shireen Ritchie, who chairs the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said: "People who do the hard work of protecting children from neglect and harm will never be complacent about the need to strive to do the best they can at all times. The death of even a single child is one too many."

  Added on: 4 February 2010

• Problem pubs face faster action thanks to LGA lobbying success

  Councils across the country will be able to take faster and more effective action against problem pubs and off-licences thanks to new powers which came into effect today, making it easier for elected politicians to act on the concerns of local people.

  Added on: 29 January 2010

• LGA Group launch 'Freedom to Lead' proposals

  Should the numerous inspectorates which assess public services in each area be merged into a single entity that could save taxpayers’ money and deliver better assessments of how services are delivered for local people? This is one of the questions that council leaders are being asked by the Local Government Association (LGA) Group as part of a consultation into the future of inspection and regulation.

  Added on: 29 January 2010

• Inspectors should estimate second year CAA savings for councils

  The bodies responsible for council inspection will today (January 26th) be challenged to put figures on the extent to which they will reduce the burden they place on councils in the coming year, as the LGA publishes a new analysis of the first year of Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA).

  Added on: 26 January 2010

• Councils respond to local government pay claim

  Local government employees will not be offered an increase in pay from April to protect vital front-line services and help minimise the need for job losses, employers announced today. Local government employers have decided they are not able to award an annual pay rise to employees in local authorities in recognition of the extremely tight financial situation facing councils.

  Added on: 20 January 2010

• LGA responds to government proposals for safeguarding adults

  Responding to the announcement that Safeguarding Adults Boards will be introduced across the country, Cllr David Rogers, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Protecting vulnerable adults is just as important as protecting vulnerable children. Councils know this, but it is useful to see this message being given a prominence by government which will keep it at the front of people’s minds."

  Added on: 20 January 2010

• Centre for Cities annual index shows recession has widened gap between UK cities

  The recession has widened the gap between UK city economies, according to a new report.

  Added on: 19 January 2010

• Bin collections during freezing weather - LGA response

  Responding to reports about problems with council rubbish collections during the current severe weather, Cllr Gary Porter, Chairman of the LGA Environment Board, said:

  Added on: 13 January 2010

• Q&A on council grit and salt supplies

  The whole country is seeing the worst cold weather in 30 years and we need to work together to conserve salt stocks. Read our Q&A on the latest council salt supplies during the cold snap

  Added on: 13 January 2010

• LGA response to announcement of further salt reductions

  Following this afternoon’s announcement that there is a need to economise use of the nation’s salt supplies by between 40 and 50 per cent, Cllr David Sparks, Chair of the LGA Transport and Regeneration Board, said: "Councils will keep working night and day so people can make essential journeys to get food and medical care."

  Added on: 12 January 2010

• Councils working flat out to repair potholes caused by bad weather

  Potholes caused by the recent severe weather conditions are beginning to appear across the country’s road network and councils are taking every step necessary to identify problem areas and ensure public safety.

  Added on: 12 January 2010

• LGA responds to ministerial statement on salt

  Responding to a parliamentary statement on the ongoing severe weather, Cllr David Sparks, Chair of the LGA Transport and Regeneration Board, said: "However bad the weather gets, the elderly need to be cared for and people need to be able to do essential things like get to hospital and to the shops."

  Added on: 11 January 2010

• LGA response to Government announcement on salt reductions

  The Government has this afternoon announced plans to economise use of the nation’s salt supplies by 25 per cent. Cllr David Sparks, Chair of the LGA's Transport and Regeneration Board, said: "Councils will continue to work tirelessly to keep roads clear, people safe and essential services working."

  Added on: 8 January 2010

• Competition probe into bus services good news for passengers

  The Competition Commission is to carry out a major investigation into local bus services. Cllr David Sparks, Chairman of the LGA's Transport and Regeneration Board, said: "This decision is good news for passengers and something local councils have been calling for."

  Added on: 8 January 2010

• 1.7 million miles of road gritted in last three weeks, say councils

  As the worst weather for 30 years grips the UK, new figures published today reveal that council gritters across the country have treated the equivalent of more than 1.7 million miles of road in the last three weeks.

  Added on: 6 January 2010

• Margaret Eaton made a Dame of the British Empire

  Responding to Margaret Eaton being made a Dame of the British Empire (DBE) for services to local government, John Ransford, Chief Executive of the Local Government Association, said: “I am delighted that Margaret has been awarded a DBE in the New Years Honours list. It is a testament to her tireless work promoting local government nationally through the LGA, in the Yorkshire region and as a member of Bradford Metropolitan Council.

  Added on: 6 January 2010

• Live music plans would lead to an increase in noise complaints, councils warn

  The LGA responds to proposals from Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe to scrap the licensing of live music performances for 100 people or fewer. Cllr Chris White, Chair of the Culture, Tourism and Sport board, said: "Common sense measures to allow venues to put on live music with a minimum of bureaucracy are already in place and make further amendments pointless."

  Added on: 31 December 2009

• Council life-savers work through Christmas

  Council staff are working throughout Christmas and the New Year as part of efforts to prevent 40,000 needless deaths this winter, council leaders at the Local Government Association said today, as they urged local people to help by keeping an eye on their neighbours.

  Added on: 30 December 2009

• Throwing away Christmas rubbish will cost £78m

  People are being urged to recycle as much as possible this week as new figures revealing the £78 million cost of festive rubbish are published today.

  Added on: 29 December 2009

• Christmas tills jingling in more high streets

  Consumer confidence over the festive period has improved in 40 per cent of the country’s high streets compared to the same time last year, according to a new study published today.

  Added on: 24 December 2009

• One million miles of road gritted in last five days, say councils

  New figures showing the extent to which councils have been battling against the winter weather over the last five days have been published by the Local Government Association.

  Added on: 4 January 2010

• Council gritters out round the clock to keep Britain moving

  Council gritters have been out round the clock over the last 24 hours gritting non-motorway roads across the country.

  Added on: 23 December 2009

• Council gritters work round the clock to keep country moving

  Council gritting lorries have been working around the clock to deal with the onset of bad weather and to keep the country’s traffic moving.

  Added on: 18 December 2009

• Council gritters on high alert

  Council gritters are on high alert to deal with the onset of bad weather as forecasters predict there could be up to 10 centimetres of snow in some areas over the coming days.

  Added on: 17 December 2009

• Beating youth unemployment needs a more coherent approach

  LGA Chairman, Cllr Margaret Eaton, responds to the latest unemployment figures showing a record number of 16 - 24 year olds are out of work. She says: “Nobody wants our children to grow up in a world where their potential is wasted by a system which doesn’t give them the right support at the right times."

  Added on: 16 December 2009

• LGA to challenge Icelandic investment rating

  The decision not to give English local authorities priority creditor status on the recovery of investments in a failed Icelandic bank will be challenged in court if necessary, the LGA pledged today

  Added on: 16 December 2009

• AA salt claims are based on thin air, say councils

  Cllr David Sparks, Chairman of the LGA's Transport and Regeneration Board, responds to the AA’s concerns about local authority preparedness for prolonged freezing weather.

  Added on: 14 December 2009

• Increase in noise complaints would follow changes to music licensing, councils warn

  Proposals to allow pubs and bars to put on live music without the need for a licence could lead to a massive increase in noise problems, council leaders warned today, as a survey was published into the possible impacts of planned changes to the 2003 Licensing Act.

  Added on: 11 December 2009

• LGA response to Pre Budget Report

  Responding to the Pre-Budget Report, LGA Chairman Cllr Margaret Eaton said: “It is good news that the Chancellor has recognised in maintaining 2010-11 spending commitments that councils need stability with which to plan ahead."

  Added on: 9 December 2009

• Majority of children's services performing well or excellently in latest Ofsted ratings

  Commenting on the 2009 children's services ratings, Cllr Shireen Ritchie, Chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, said: "It is good to see the majority of children’s services within councils are considered to be performing well or excellently. It must be the ambition of councillors and social workers to make that the norm across the country."

  Added on: 9 December 2009

• 'Smarter government' - councils respond

  Commenting on the publication of today’s Smarter Government White Paper, Cllr Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the LGA, said:

  Added on: 8 December 2009

• Comment on CAA announcement today

  LGA Chairman, Cllr Margaret Eaton, responds to the Audit Commission Comprehensive Area Assessment report.

  Added on: 9 December 2009

• Regulators must urgently address failing care homes

  Response to the Care Quality Commission’s report ‘The quality and capacity of adult social care services’

  Added on: 8 December 2009

• Almost all councils now performing excellently or well in adult social care

  Response to the Care Quality Commission’s first report into the standards of adult social care services in England.

  Added on: 8 December 2009

• Smart meters decision a victory for consumers over energy firms

  Responding to the Government’s announcement this morning on the planned roll out of smart meters, Cllr Gary Porter, Chairman of the Local Government Association Environment Board, said:

  Added on: 2 December 2009

• Library laws should be 'sent to the archives'

  The rules which govern how England’s libraries are run are fit for nothing but the archives, council leaders have argued.

  Added on: 2 December 2009