No.628 October 2018 www.local.gov.uk
the magazine for local government
Interview: “Complaints are the real stories of real people using real services” Michael King, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman 18
10 12-13 23 Housing crisis Party conferences Children’s services Helping councils John Healey MP Ofsted inspections to deliver local and James to support solutions Brokenshire MP improvement
LGA FIRST 628 Oct 18 pp01.indd 1 14/09/2018 12:51 LGA Annual Fire Conference and Exhibition 12-13 March 2019, Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel
The Local Government Association Annual Fire Conference and Exhibition is a key event in the conference calendar for senior fire officers and members of fire and rescue authorities. The last year has seen widespread change in the sector. There is a new inspection regime in place, a new standards approach has been announced and there have been a number of changes in governance. There have been strides to improve the diversity of the service as well as issues around finance and funding. The sector’s work on fire safety, inspection and enforcement as a result of the terrible fire at Grenfell is still evolving. This event provides an opportunity to examine these changes, consider notable practice and examine how to develop this activity further.
To book your place visit www.local.gov.uk/events
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LGA/ADPH Annual Public Health Conference and Exhibition London, 21 March 2019
Our annual flagship conference on public health will explore and build on the challenging, innovative work being undertaken by local authorities, their partners and communities as they continue to make progress on improving the nation’s health and wellbeing and tackling health inequalities. Join us at our most popular health conference of the year to hear the very latest thinking on key policy and improvement agendas and put your questions and comments to those involved in shaping them at the highest level. There will be opportunities to network with your peers to discuss the issues that matter to you locally.
To book your place visit www.local.gov.uk/events
19.16 LGA ADPH annual conference first conf ad_02.indd 1 07/09/2018 11:35
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct 18 pp02-03 Contents.indd 2 14/09/2018 12:52 Social housing ousing is one of the H themes of this contents month’sxxxx magazine, with a Xfeature onxxxxxx the LGA’s campaignLord Porter aims is Chairman following theof the publication, LGA over the news interview summer, of the Government’s Green 4 Caring for the carers 7 Children’s services 18 Michael King, Local Paper on Social Housing (p10-11, p24). Women councillors overspends Government and Social Care Ombudsman Many of you will have been to, or will 5 MPs back funding for Trusted professionals be attending, your party’s annual social care Land value “It’s not about conference, and I hope you nd time to whether you attend the LGA’s receptions and debates at ADASS survey 8 Dangerous cosmetics these events. Ahead of the Labour and make mistakes, Rising care needs Sustainable transport because we all Conservative conferences, you can hear 6 Secondary school Minimising roadworks from Housing, Communities and Local do – me included: places Government Secretary James Brokenshire 9 Sexual health services it’s about how you MP (p13) and John Healey MP, Shadow Special needs Childhood diabetes react to them and Secretary of State for Housing (p12). funding E-cigarettes learn from them ” It’s not too late to respond to the Children’s wellbeing LGA’s green paper on adult social care – the deadline is Wednesday 26 September (p15). Elsewhere in the magazine, you can nd out about the councillors who sit on the LGA’s Executive. These are the people who represent you and set the LGA’s 8 strategic direction on your behalf (p16). We also take a look at how Cardi is working towards becoming a child-friendly city (p27), and we hear from inspection agency Ofsted on how new arrangements for inspecting councils’ children’s services 4 are panning out (p23). Lord Porter is Chairman of the LGA
Editor Karen Thornton 18 Design & print CPL www.cpl.co.uk Advertising [email protected] Write to rst: Local Government Association 18 Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ Email [email protected] 14 28 Tel editorial 020 7664 3294 Tel advertising 01223 378 042 features comment Photography Getty Images and iStock.com 23 Children’s services unless otherwise stated. Cover – Chris Sharp 10 LGA housing campaign inspections Circulation 18,200 (September 2018) rst is published online at www.local.gov.uk/ rst at 12 John Healey MP, 24 LGA chairman least two days before the magazine. To unsubscribe and group leader email [email protected] Shadow Housing Secretary comments The inclusion of an advert or insert in rst does not imply endorsement by the LGA of any product James Brokenshire 26 Apprenticeships for all 27 13 or service. Contributors’ views are their own and do not necessarily re ect the opinions MP, Communities Regional adoption regulars or policies of the LGA. Secretary agencies 29 Parliament – mental 14 Pro t with purpose 27 Cardi : a child-friendly capacity 15 Social care green city 30 Councillor – surviving paper 28 Sustainable energy the rst year 16 The LGA’s Executive Children’s voice 31 Local elections
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct 18 pp02-03 Contents.indd 3 14/09/2018 16:15 ‘No progress’ on news women elected to councils Carers ‘putting their own nalysis by the Fawcett Society has Afound that, in the centenary year of some women being able to vote in parliamentary health on the line’ elections, 97 per cent of councils remain male-dominated. The proportion of women elected to local government in England this year increased by less than 1 per cent, bringing the total population of female councillors to 34 per cent. There are only two more woman-led councils compared to 2016, with women making up 17.8 per cent of all council leaders. Cllr Marianne Overton, Vice-Chair of the LGA, said: “The report rightly identifies that progress must be made at a faster pace to ensure a greater representation of women in our local authorities. “It is vital that local government better reflects the communities we represent and is inclusive, in order to have the best skills and make the best possible decisions. “The LGA is leading the ‘Be a Councillor’ campaign. This year, our main focus is to Rising demand for care and the increasing it would cost £150 million to provide these encourage women and under-represented costs of providing it is putting more assessments and is calling for the cost to be groups to stand for election and help pressure on families to look after loved included in a long-term solution to paying shape local councils to best support ones, and taking its toll on their health for adult social care. our communities. Councils also remain and wellbeing, the LGA and Carers UK It is also calling for su cient funding to committed to ensuring that, once elected, are warning. ensure services, such as carers’ breaks, are women have an equal opportunity to Many of the 5.7 million unpaid carers available to all carers who need them. become leaders.” in England are unable to take a break from Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA’s She added: “Local government must their demanding role looking after people Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Unpaid be at the forefront of driving change, but it with complex needs. carers are the backbone of the care system, will be important to get the balance right This means they are at growing risk many of whom are unable to take a break, between changing culture and imposing of needing care and support themselves, putting their own health on the line. structures. Change will also require all resulting in the loved ones they are caring “But this vital network of family carers is political parties and Independents to for requiring more costly social care or at an increasing risk of breaking down due fully engage and support a wide range of being admitted to hospital, creating a surge to the nature of the job, rising costs and aspiring councillors.” in demand on the NHS. demands for care, and the crisis in adult The LGA is supporting the Women’s Local Latest research shows that nearly three- social care funding.” Government Society’s project, identifying quarters (72 per cent) of carers in England Following the delay in the Government’s 100 pioneers in women’s suffrage, and have su ered mental ill health, such as Green Paper on Adult Social Care, the women who used their elected positions and stress and depression, while 61 per cent LGA has published its own green paper votes to bring benefits to their communities. have experienced physical ill health because consultation to drive forward the public It also plans to launch a self-assessment of caring. But, despite the demands of their debate on what care and support is needed equalities toolkit, which will be available for role, a fth (20 per cent) of carers in England to improve people’s lives and how these councils this autumn. have not received a carer’s assessment in vital services are funded. ● See www.local.gov.uk/our-support/ the past year, which would help identify ● See p15 and www.futureofadultssocial highlighting-political-leadership/be- their own support needs. The LGA estimates care.co.uk councillor
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp4-5 News.indd 4 14/09/2018 12:54 MPs: ‘increase news in brief social care funding’ Hospital admissions
ew analysis by Age UK has found that A new survey, carried out by ComRes to keep people well and from needing care Nalmost 1,000 elderly people a day are being on behalf of the LGA, has found that the and support and hospital treatment. admitted to hospital needlessly, amid a crisis overwhelming majority of MPs (84 per cent) Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Deputy Chairman of in social care. Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of and Peers (76 per cent) believe additional the LGA, said: “Councils, care workers, health the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: funding should go to councils’ adult social professionals and now even MPs and Peers “Over recent years, councils have protected care budgets to help tackle the funding crisis agree that social care funding to councils must adult social care relative to other services. But facing services. be increased. the scale of the overall funding picture for local Following the delay to the Government’s “Work to nd a long-term funding solution government means adult social care services adult social care green paper, the LGA has for adult social care and support has been still face a £3.5 billion funding gap by 2025, launched its own nationwide consultation kicked into the long grass by successive just to maintain existing standards of care. The to kick-start a desperately needed debate on governments for the past two decades and likely consequences of this are more and more how to pay for adult social care and rescue the has brought these services to breaking point. people being unable to get quality and reliable services caring for older and disabled people “The Government cannot duck this issue care and support, which enables them to live from collapse. any longer. It must make genuinely new more ful lling lives.” The LGA estimates that adult social care resources available urgently to plug the short- services face a £3.5 billion funding gap by term funding gap of £3.5 billion, as well as set 2025, just to maintain existing standards, out its plans to secure the longer-term future. while latest gures show that councils in “The LGA’s green paper is the start of a Care needs rising England receive 1.8 million new requests for nationwide public debate about the future he number of older people needing adult social care a year – the equivalent of of care for all adults, and how best to support Tround-the-clock care will double by nearly 5,000 a day. their wellbeing, and we encourage as many 2035, according to the Lancet Public Increased spending on adult social care people and organisations – including MPs and Health journal. Cllr Nick Forbes, LGA – which now accounts for nearly 40 per cent Peers - to have their say on how we pay for Senior Vice-Chair, said: “This report is of total council budgets – is threatening the it and the responsibilities of citizens, families a further warning of the crisis in adult future of other vital council services, such as and communities.” social care and the urgent need to plug parks, leisure centres and libraries, which help ● See p15. the immediate funding gap and nd a long-term solution on how we pay for The deadline for responses to the LGA’s green paper is 26 September, see it and improve people’s independence www.futureofadultsocialcare.co.uk and wellbeing. Action is needed, which is why the LGA has published its own green paper consultation to drive forward the public debate (see www. Adult services ‘save NHS £60m’ futureofadultsocialcare.co.uk).”
ocial care has saved the NHS almost £60 million in the past year by reducing the Snumber of delayed transfers of care, according to new analysis by the Association of Washing and dressing Directors of Adult Social Services. The NHS’s excess bed days’ calculations put the saving per day of having one extra bed lder people should get free personal care, available in hospital throughout 2016/17 at £313. Osuch as help with getting washed and Over the last year, the number of delayed transfers of care days attributable to adult dressed, says a new report from Independent social care has fallen by 187,864, meaning that there has been a reduction of almost £60 Age. Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA’s million in NHS costs as a result of improved adult social care performance when compared Community Wellbeing Board, said: “This report with the previous 12 months. is a positive contribution to the debate on Cllr James Jamieson, LGA Vice-Chairman, said: “Councils have reduced the average what sort of care and support people want and number of delayed transfers of care days attributed to social care since June 2017 by 40 how we fund these vital services. People have a per cent, despite signi cant budget reductions. right to live the life they want to lead, and high “To help councils build on this work and help reduce pressures on the NHS, adult social quality adult social care and support plays an care needs to be put on an equal footing with the health service. essential role in this. It is also vital to society. It “Like the 70th birthday funding for the NHS, a similar urgent rescue package is needed strengthens communities, reduces pressures for social care and prevention services to ensure taxpayers’ money is spent most e ectively on the NHS, supports around 1.5 million jobs to reduce the need for people to be admitted to hospital in the rst place.” and contributes as much as £46 billion to the UK economy.”
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp4-5 News.indd 5 14/09/2018 12:54 news in brief ‘Emergency’ Girls self-harming in secondary lmost a quarter of 14-year-old girls self- Aharm according to ‘The good childhood report 2018’, from The Children’s Society, school places which examines the state of children’s wellbeing in the UK. One in six of all children Thousands of children face missing out on a surveyed hurt themselves deliberately, secondary school place in the next ve years, including one in 10 boys. Cllr Roy Perry, Vice- with more than half of all councils in England Chairman of the LGA’s Children and Young at risk of not being able to meet demand, People Board, said: “These alarming figures according to new analysis by the LGA. reinforce the urgent need to tackle the crisis Unless new places are created, nearly in children’s mental health. This is why we are 134,000 children will miss out on a secondary calling for councils and schools to be given school place by 2023/24 as a result of the the funding to offer independent mental surge in primary school pupils . health counselling so pupils have access to The LGA says the country faces a support as and when they need it.” See secondary school places “emergency” unless and hand back the responsibility for making www.local.gov.uk/bright-futures for more government gives councils the powers to decisions about opening new schools. on the LGA’s children’s campaign. ● See p25 open schools or direct academies to expand. It should also give councils the same Its analysis reveals that, unless more powers to direct free schools and academies secondary school places are created, 13 to expand that they currently hold for councils will face a secondary school place maintained schools. Homeless children shortfall in 2019/20; this will rise to 25 Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the councils in 2020/21, 46 in 2021/22 and 54 LGA’s Children and Young People Board, ore than 123,000 children and in 2022/23. said: “No family should face uncertainty Mtheir families spent the school By 2023/24, 71 councils (52 per cent) over securing their child’s secondary school. summer holiday homeless, an increase face not being able to meet demand for But the reality is, we face an emergency in of around 53,000 since 2011. The 133,926 places. secondary school places where the number number of homeless children that With two-thirds of secondary schools of pupils is growing at a far faster rate than councils are housing in temporary now academies, councils have a very limited the number of places available. accommodation has increased by ability to ful l their statutory obligation to “This is why councils need to be given the 76 per cent in the past seven years. provide school places. powers to help solve this crisis. It is only by The LGA is calling on the Government The LGA is calling on government to give working with councils, rather than shutting to adapt welfare reforms and allow councils the power to open new maintained them out, that we can meet the challenges councils to borrow to build new schools, where that is the local preference, currently facing the education system.” homes, with the right infrastructure, to tackle the housing shortage – the root cause of the homelessness crisis. Cllr Judith Blake, LGA Housing SEND pupil funding concerns Spokesperson, said: “It’s crucial that we take the serious measures report by the National Association of Head Teachers has found that 94 per cent of that are needed to get towards Aschools are nding it harder to meet the needs of pupils with special educational our collective ambition to end needs and disabilities (SEND) than they did two years ago. homelessness outright.” Only 2 per cent of the 600-plus respondents to the online survey said the top-up funding they received was su cient to meet individual education, health and care plans (EHCPs) or statements for pupils with SEND. And 83 per cent reported not receiving any funding from health and social care budgets Brushing teeth to support pupils with statements or EHCPs. Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, Chair of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: “The hree in five parents in Britain say ndings of this report reinforce the desperate need for the Government to provide Ttheir children brush their teeth for 90 signi cant, ongoing and sustainable funding to help councils manage the rising demand seconds or less, below the two minutes in support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. recommended by dentists, according “We have previously warned that, unless to a YouGov survey commissioned by a councils are given the funding to meet this toothbrush manufacturer. Cllr Nick Forbes, need, they may not be able to meet their LGA Senior Vice-Chair, said: “Last year, the statutory duties, and children with high NHS had to perform more than 43,000 needs or disabilities could miss out on a operations – 170 a day – to remove teeth mainstream education. in children and teenagers . There must be “As a starting point, we are calling for an a reinvestment in innovative oral health urgent review of funding to meet the education, so that parents and children unprecedented rise in demand that understand the impact of sugar on teeth councils are experiencing.” and the importance of good oral hygiene .”
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp6-7 News.indd 6 14/09/2018 12:55 Children’s services Capturing reaching ‘tipping point’ land value entral and local government should Councils overspent on children’s services Cllr Roy Perry, Vice-Chair of the LGA’s Cbe able to capture more of the by £816 million last year and are Children and Young People Board, said: increase in the value of land that occurs increasingly having to divert money from “These gures clearly show the huge and when planning permission is granted, to other services to meet an unprecedented increasing nancial pressures help pay for new local infrastructure and surge in demand for care services, the LGA children’s services are under, with many a ordable housing. has warned. councils being pushed to the brink by So say MPs in ‘Land value capture’, Last year saw the biggest annual hike unprecedented demand. a report from the Commons’ Housing, in children in care since 2010 and councils “It is not just increased pressure for care Communities and Local Government are now starting 500 child protection for the elderly causing the problem for local Select Committee. investigations every day. This rise in demand authority budgets. The report makes a number of for child protection support means councils “Councils have done what they can to recommendations that the LGA has are often only able to provide urgent help protect spending on children’s services, and called for, including: for children and families already at crisis have spent over £800 million more than • improvements to compulsory point, leaving very little to invest in early they had budgeted on children’s social care. purchase powers so they are intervention and prevention. Councils do not want to cut the very services simpli ed, and made faster and less that are designed to help children and expensive for local authorities families before problems begin or escalate to • reforms to the Land Compensation the point where a child might need to come Act 1961 so that councils have the into care. power to compulsorily purchase land “We are absolutely clear that, unless new at a fairer price funding is found, these vital services, which • that government should work keep children safe from harm and the worst with the LGA to provide additional abuses of society, will reach a tipping point.” resources, training and advice to local The LGA estimates that, overall, local planning authorities to ensure that government in England faces a funding gap they are able to negotiate robustly of almost £8 billion by 2025, with a growing with developers. number of councils struggling to balance Cllr Martin Tett, the LGA’s Housing their books. It has warned that the next Spokesman, said: “We have long called Spending Review will be “make or break for for reforms to land compensation and local services” and must recognise the urgent compulsory purchase laws and are need to tackle the funding gap. pleased the committee has called for the Government to implement several of our The LGA’s Bright Futures campaign (www.local.gov.uk/bright-futures) continues to recommendations. promote the work of councils in ensuring our children and young people have the best “Rising land prices are one of the start in life, as well as the prevention and early intervention work we can do if we are most in uential contributors to our given the powers and funding we need. housing crisis – they mean fewer homes are built, they are less a ordable, they are built more slowly, there can be compromises on quality, and there is not enough funding left over for vital Helping young people to trust local infrastructure and services that communities need to back development. leven local authority areas have been police and nurses, and vulnerable youngsters. “There are therefore huge gains for Eawarded government funding to help Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the LGA’s communities, economies and public them provide ‘trusted’ adults to support Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: services in allowing councils to capture children at risk of sexual abuse or of being “Early intervention work with children and their potentially billions of pounds of land drawn into criminality. families helps to limit the need for children to value increases to invest in the very A Home O ce-commissioned review enter the care system, improves performance at infrastructure and services that generate by the Early Intervention Foundation found school and helps avoid mental health issues in those increasing values. that a trusted relationship with an adult is an later life. “We are also pleased the committee important part of programmes to support “All councils take their child protection recommends that government vulnerable children, and that the lack of responsibilities seriously and have a strong provides extra support to councils, such relationships is consistently cited as a record of working with local partners such as through the LGA, to help give local contributing factor in cases of child sexual abuse police, schools and health services, to protect authorities a strong hand in negotiations and exploitation (see www.eif.org.uk/building- vulnerable children. This fund will help to with developers. trusted-relationships/). support this work. However, with children’s “Government action on these The bene ciaries of the Government’s services facing a £3 billion funding gap by 2025, recommendations would have a £13 million Trusted Relationships Fund will use it is getting increasingly di cult to fund long- signi cant impact on building more the cash to help foster relationships between term projects that help children and families homes with the right infrastructures and frontline professionals, such as youth workers, when they need it most.” places that people want to live and work.”
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp6-7 News.indd 7 14/09/2018 16:15 news in brief Contacting rst
f you have contacted the LGA’s first Imagazine using the email address first@ local.gov.uk over the past few months, then we may have not received your email because of an IT issue that has only recently come to light. If this is the case, we are very sorry that we have been unable to reply to you. We are always delighted to receive your letters, news and ideas for stories , so please contact us using [email protected], or Warning on toxic cosmetics email first editor Karen Thornton direct at [email protected] Hundreds of thousands of pounds of “Counterfeit cosmetics can be dangerous counterfeit cosmetics, including make-up as they can contain toxic chemicals and and perfume, have been discovered by dangerously high levels of lead, which can be Councillor survey trading standards o cers from councils detrimental to people’s health. across the country. “Fake designer products cost businesses f you are an elected member in The fake make-up had been sold by rogue and the taxpayer thousands of pounds each IEngland, you should have received traders, and included well-known brands year. Councils have been targeting rogue an email inviting you to take part in such as MAC, Chanel and Bene t. The LGA retailers selling these fake products, and the the 2018 Councillor Census. Thank has warned consumers and legitimate nes they have received should deter others you if you have already responded. businesses that the products can result in from selling these dangerous products. If not, we would be really grateful health problems, including chemical burns “People should always do their research if you could, as the findings inform and skin rashes. and take a pragmatic approach when they are the LGA’s practical support to Cosmetics seized by Devon, Somerset and buying make-up and cosmetics. Check the authorities and councillors . They are Torbay Trading Standards included products reviews of online sellers, and bear in mind that also of real use to central and local that contained chemicals such as highly if something is really cheap, it’s likely to be government and political parties in toxic mercury and illegal levels of a skin- fake and could potentially be harmful. the development of strategies and whitening agent. “Anyone who has purchased make-up that policies. Past surveys have given the One skin-lightening product contained they think is dangerous should stop using it most comprehensive, timely overviews a chemical called hydroquinone at a level of immediately and report it to their local trading of local government representation 10.8 per cent, which can cause liver, kidney standards team. and how that has changed over time. and brain damage. “It is vital that people report any concerns, The deadline is Monday 1 October. For Cllr Simon Blackburn, Chair of the LGA’s so that councils can take action to prevent more information, or if you have any Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: anyone being harmed or scarred for life.” problems accessing the survey, please email [email protected] Sustainable travel hit by funding uncertainty ack of revenue funding and uncertainty By 2020, councils will have faced a reduction Lover current levels of funding are the main in core government funding of nearly £16 Avoiding barriers to councils investing in sustainable billion since 2010. The LGA estimates councils in travel, an LGA survey has revealed. England face a funding gap of almost £8 billion roadworks A snapshot poll of councils in England by 2025. with responsibilities for transport planning and The LGA said long-term funding certainty for passenger transport reveals the overwhelming sustainable travel, such as cycling and walking ew digital services to help motorists majority have: introduced 20 mph zones; initiatives, would help councils do more to Nplan their journeys better and avoid provided secure cycle parking and/or changing promote exercise, which reduces obesity while disruptive roadworks have been announced facilities; promoted cycling and/or walking also cutting car use, generating wider bene ts by the Government. Street Manager will through schools; and included sustainable travel around reducing congestion and emissions. generate real-time data, and will be free for within their local health and wellbeing strategy. Cllr Judith Blake, LGA Transport technology companies and app developers However, the survey reveals that the main Spokesperson, said: “Councils are working hard to use. LGA Transport Spokesman Cllr Martin obstacles to councils doing more to invest in to reduce congestion on our roads and tackle air Tett said: “These initiatives will give road sustainable travel are: lack of revenue funding pollution in our communities. Good air quality users more accurate information to plan their (87 per cent for cycling/walking and 82 per cent is vital for our health and quality of life, as well as journeys and avoid delays where possible. for public transport); uncertainty over continued the environment. The extension of lane-rental powers, long levels of funding (74 per cent for cycling/walking “However, this survey makes clear that called for by councils, will give incentives to and 79 per cent for public transport); and a signi cant change is still needed. Uncertainty utilities to minimise disruption on the busiest lack of capital funding (68 per cent for cycling/ and a lack of revenue funding are highlighted as roads throughout the country.” walking and for public transport). clear barriers to investment.”
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp8-9 News.indd 8 14/09/2018 12:56 Rising demand for news in brief sexual health services HIV cases down ew HIV diagnoses in the UK have fallen The LGA has warned that record demand Nfor the second year and are at their for sexual health services in England is lowest level since 2000, according to Public putting the system under huge pressure Health England. New diagnoses fell by and leaving people facing longer waits 17 per cent in 2017, from 5,280 in 2016 to for appointments. 4,363 . Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the It says the surge in demand is happening LGA’s Community Wellbeing board, said: at the same time as cuts to funding for “The progress made in supporting people councils’ vital public health services. with HIV, enabling them to live independent, Latest gures show there were 3,323,275 fulfilling lives – and the fact that it is no attendances at sexual health clinics in England longer the death sentence it once was – is in 2017, up 13 per cent on the 2,940,779 a major public health success story. Since attendances in 2013, which is the equivalent public health moved to local government of an extra 210 a day or 1,471 a week. in 2013, councils have embraced their The total number of sexual health screens new responsibilities and worked with their (tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and health and community partners to deliver HIV) has risen 18 per cent during this time innovative programmes that support people period, from 1,513,288 in 2013 to 1,778,306 with HIV.” in 2017. The LGA says that government cuts to councils’ public health budgets have left local E-cigs ‘less harmful’ authorities struggling to meet increased health services to peak capacity levels, which demand for sexual health services. Some are not sustainable in the long term. -cigarettes are estimated as 95 per people are having to be turned away from “Demand for sexual health services has Ecent less harmful than conventional clinics because all appointments for that day risen successively for the past ve years, and cigarettes and are too often being are fully booked. there is a real risk of waiting times increasing overlooked as a stop-smoking The LGA is urging government to reverse and patient experience deteriorating. tool by the NHS, according to the £600 million in public health cuts to help “Cuts to public health funding need to be Commons’ Science and Technology councils meet rising demand for sexual reversed, as this could a ect councils’ ability Select Committee. health services and prevent people from to meet further increases in demand and It says regulations relating to the experiencing potentially longer waiting respond to unforeseen outbreaks of sexually licensing, prescribing and advertising of times and a reduced quality of service. transmitted infections. their health bene ts should be relaxed. Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA’s “While it’s good news that diagnoses An LGA spokesperson said: “Smoking Community Wellbeing Board, said: “While of sexually transmitted infections have is the leading cause of preventable it’s great to see a huge increase in people fallen, it will be hard to maintain this death, so any initiatives to help the taking their sexual health seriously, this rising progress, with some sexual health services one in ve people who smok e should demand is pushing some councils’ sexual at breaking point.” be encouraged. Since the advent of e-cigarettes, we have seen the number of users of smoking-cessation services fall, while the population of smokers left Child diabetes up 40% is now more challenging to get to quit.” Meanwhile, the number of people who he number of children and young people Type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health stopped smoking after accessing NHS Tbeing treated for Type 2 diabetes – problems such as blindness, heart disease, stop-smoking services in England up to normally only seen in adults and often linked kidney failure and lower-limb amputation. March 2018 has fallen by 11 per cent on to obesity – has soared by around 40 per cent Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 is largely the previous year, according to a recent in just four years, to more than 700 cases, the preventable and is closely linked to lifestyle, NHS report. LGA has warned. such as unhealthy eating or lack of exercise. LGA Deputy Chairman Cllr Izzi With obesity being the single greatest risk The LGA is urging government to reverse Seccombe said: “Councils remain of developing Type 2 diabetes, it says the the £600 million cut to councils’ public health committed to helping smokers quit gures underline the critical need to urgently funding, which is used to help ght obesity. and spend almost £100 million each tackle the childhood obesity crisis. LGA Deputy Chairman Cllr Izzi Seccombe, year on these services and wider According to the latest gures for 2016/17 said: “Councils, with their public health tobacco control. from the Royal College of Paediatrics and responsibilities, are on the frontline ghting “However, this is increasingly Child Health, 715 children and young people obesity, but for this to work e ectively they challenging due to central government under the age of 25 received care for Type 2 need to be properly resourced. reductions to the public health diabetes from paediatric diabetes units in “Cutting their public health funding is budget, which is used to fund stop- England and Wales, of which 78.6 per cent short-sighted and undermines any smoking services, and which will only were also obese. The data shows an increase attempt to help our children live healthy and compound acute pressures for NHS of 41 per cent on the 507 cases from 2013/14. ful lling lives.” services further down the line.”
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp8-9 News.indd 9 14/09/2018 12:56 features Local solutions to the housing crisis Councils must be empowered to build homes and tackle homelessness
homelessness, and plan good places (see implementing the recommendations from box, below, right, for our housing campaign Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review aims). of building regulations and re safety, which Councillor Martin Tett were geared towards improving safety is Chairman of the LGA’s In the LGA’s view, increasing the Environment, Economy, supply of social housing is one of the most following the Grenfell Tower re. Housing and Transport Board important steps the Government could The LGA is already working closely with take to solve the housing crisis. This would government on this programme of work. add new supply quickly, support home We’re also calling for a ban on the use of s we approach the 2018 Autumn ownership, reduce homelessness, and combustible materials on buildings, and Budget and the 2019 Spending generate huge public service savings. for any new burdens on councils to be Review, the LGA is embarking on Given the scale of these bene ts, the fully funded. a campaign to build the case for ambition shown in the Government’s recent We also support potential plans to long-term sustained investment Social Housing Green Paper, ‘A new deal for allow local MPs or councillors to consider Ain local government. social housing’, is disappointing. a complaint about housing before it’s Housing will form a crucial part of this In terms of supply, it seeks views on escalated up to the Housing Ombudsman – campaign, as every one of us needs a stable how to encourage housing associations to local politicians are well-placed to support and secure home: it is fundamental to build more, and con rms some welcome tenants through the complaints process. leading healthy, ful lled and productive lives. exibilities for councils. For example, But we’re less supportive of a But for too many people, housing is councils will no longer be forced to sell consultation on whether the social housing unavailable, una ordable, or inappropriate high-value council homes to fund discounts regulator should publish a league table for for their needs. Currently, councils are on homes sold under Right to Buy. What’s social landlords. New, national performance providing temporary accommodation for more, councils will be able to choose regimes introduce a risk of one-size- more than 200,000 homeless people, over whether to o er xed-term tenancies. ts-all standards being set without an half of whom are children. We’ve been arguing for these changes understanding of local tenants and The housing crisis permeates all areas for a long time, but they don’t go far their homes. of local and national policy-making. It enough. We need a renaissance in council The current system, where council damages our communities, holding back building, led by a removal of borrowing landlords are accountable to both the growth and the creation of jobs. It also has restrictions and the ability for councils regulator and local politicians, strikes a good an enormous impact on the public purse to keep the money raised from selling balance between national standards and – the e ect of poor housing on health is their homes. local democracy. similar to that of smoking or alcohol and Elsewhere in the Green Paper, the Green Paper proposals to give tenants costs the NHS £1.4 billion a year. Government con rmed that it will be more choice over the management and Councils need to be at the heart of the housing crisis solution. They must be freed and empowered to play their full role For more information on the LGA’s work on housing, please visit www.local.gov.uk/ in ensuring the provision of housing that housing. The LGA is holding a conference on ‘The need for speed: increasing build out rates supports health, jobs, and community. for new homes’ in London on 11 October, see www.local.gov.uk/events They need powers to build homes, tackle
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp10-11 Housing.indd 10 14/09/2018 12:56 Rough sleeping strategy The LGA was a member of an advisory panel involved in the development of the Government’s Rough Sleeping Strategy, along with councils and homelessness service providers and partners. The proposals in the strategy were fairly encouraging, and included some “A stable and secure of the panel’s recommendations. For example, as part of a renewed focus on home is fundamental to local homelessness strategies, councils leading healthy, fulfilled will need to update their strategies by winter 2019. They’ll also need to publish and productive lives” annual action plans, and make sure that strategies meet certain expectations. There was also £17 million for Somewhere Safe to Stay pilots, which will see the introduction of assessment hubs o ering advice and support to rough sleepers in 15 areas with high levels of rough sleeping. There’ll be better, earlier support given to people at risk of spending a night on the streets. Further funding targeted at preventing rough sleeping – from across several government departments, governance of their homes, and to help Overall, though, the Green Paper does including £30 million from the NHS – was tackle stigma, are good ideas. The LGA is not go nearly far enough. Ultimately, we also announced. already looking at good practice in tenant need a huge expansion in the social housing However, as with the Social Housing involvement, and it’s positive that there is an stock for people from all walks of life, creating Green Paper (see left), the strategy is emphasis on tackling stigma. thriving mixed communities. more interesting for what it excludes, Councils are proud of their housing stock, Government can help councils to lead rather than includes. The LGA would have the tenure, and their tenants, and they have the way by providing the freedoms and liked to see truly substantive measures had to rebut negative stories about what it exibilities that will allow them to invest in to make sure that fewer people reach means to be involved in council housing homes in the longer term. Unfortunately, the the point of crisis – namely, a reversal of for many years. Green Paper falls short of doing this. welfare reform measures and a step- change in the supply of social housing. We’re also disappointed by the strategy’s heavily centralised approach Our housing campaign aims – it introduces numerous, nationally- controlled, disparate pots of funding, The LGA wants: undermining councils’ strategic in uence. • A leading role for councils in shaping the investment that has become available Councils need to be given the through the A ordable Housing Programme, so that new housing and powers and funding to tackle all forms infrastructure meets the needs of their local communities. of homelessness in a way that’s joined • Access to borrowing, including the removal of the borrowing cap on housing up and takes account of local needs. This revenue accounts, so that councils can borrow to build the homes their communities means that local homelessness strategies urgently need. need to be the vehicle through which all • Retention of all receipts from homes sold through Right to Buy, so that councils can new funding ows. fund replacement homes. The LGA is continuing to push for • Any unexpected costs for councils arising from urgent re safety work, following the this, so that all government departments Grenfell tragedy, to be met centrally. can contribute to local e orts to tackle • Rules scrapped that allow o ces to be converted to ats without homelessness – once and for all. planning permission. • Local communities empowered to have a say over development in their areas. The LGA, in partnership with the • A system that stops land values spiralling out of control, so that councils can deliver National Housing Federation, the a ordable housing and infrastructure that our communities desperately need. is hosting a series of autumn • Help to attract the next generation of planners and place-makers. roundtables to explore how • Welfare reforms adapted to reduce the risk of homelessness for key groups, local authorities can work with including lifting the local housing allowance freeze, which is currently keeping housing associations to tackle renting out of reach for low-income families. rough sleeping and other forms • Ministers to commit to covering any shortfalls in funding for councils’ new duties of homelessness. For more details under the Homelessness Reduction Act. contact [email protected]
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp10-11 Housing.indd 11 14/09/2018 12:56 LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp12-13 Brokenshire.indd 12 A obligation to deliver affordable homes, and lets commercial developers dodgetheir endthe at itsheart, ‘viability’ loopholethat ofaffordablewith theimportance homes building again. housing becauseofstock transfer to start who don’t currently have any council who want to build, andbackthosecouncils We’ll makefundingavailable to councils common-sense step willjustbethestart. caps be more than30years. council housebuildingprogramme for over 10years, by launchingthebiggest build a setting green Corbyn MPandIlaunched Labour’s of theirhomes. never againforce councils to sellthebest afutureand ensuring government can ending homes by to suspendingRight Buy, 150,000 inthelastfive years alone. –homes undercurrent Conservative policy to haltthe hugelossofsocialrented plans. firstimmediate Our step mustbe much ashow many we build. we build, andwhothey’re for, matter justas from thebasic truththat what newhomes decade.distance of thenext Labourstarts targets, to bereached sometimeinthedim to fixit. and know, isbroken thehousingmarket level homes beingbuiltisstillat thelowest and thenumberofnewsocialrented 12 Housing for themany lifting council housingborrowinglifting
| We willtransform theplanningsystem ofourprogrammeAt will theheart This April, LabourLeader Jeremy We’ll ofsocialrented stop thesell-off ofourCouncils willbeat theheart talkbigabouthousebuildingMinisters As councils across thecountry
Conservative housing policy isfailingConservative housingpolicy to theirprudential limits. Butthis since records began. first paper, ‘Housing for themany’, million genuinelyaffordable homes out Labour’s commitment to all conversions to ‘affordable rent’ feature down, ownership isclear: home of failure onhousingis Conservatives’ record eight years,fter the Secretary ofState for Housing Secretary John Healey MPisShadow homelessness isrising, lack genuinely affordable, homes. Butthe orfreshfresh fundingfor thinking new, plans released thissummeroffer no Homes 2programme. safety thefirststandard inanewDecent a banoncombustible cladding, andfire inallcouncil blocks, high-rise for sprinklers withfunding highestpriority for allthevery reform isneeded. We willmakesafe homes beforevictims thefire”, it’s clearradical told usthat when survivors “tenants were a newEnglishSovereign Land Trust. give localareas access to cheaperlandwith on housing” case forradicalchange “We’ll keepmakingthe at theheartofplanningsystem borrowing capsandputaffordablehomes Labour wouldliftcouncilhouse By contrast,By the Tories’ socialhousing After thedisaster ofGrenfell Tower, of Conservative confidence on www.labour.org.uk/conference The conference LabourParty placeinLiverpool from takes 23 to 26September, see Labour wins the next GeneralElection. Labour winsthenext oftheplatform onwhich part important Labour inpower canmake, andwillbean This record demonstrates thedifference councillors andcouncils across England. for changefor millionsofpeopleisLabour in oppositionat Westminster radical change onhousingbut are stillunbuilt. mothballed. Unaffordable ‘starter homes’ to Buyfor housingassociation tenants plans scrapped andanationwide Right now beendropped, draconian ‘pay to stay’ for aforced ofcouncil homeshave sell-off votes, we won thearguments. Proposals and decades. We opposeditinParliament then piece ofhousinglegislationanti-council in more thantwo years ago, was themost case for change. housing So we’llSo thecasefor keepmaking The HousingandPlanning Act, passed , althoughtheGovernment won the shows how Labouriswinningthe , thebesthope www.local.gov.uk , withLabour 14/09/2018 12:58
©CHRIS SHARP Local government for the 21st century ANDREW BAKER/LGA ANDREW
councils the incentives they need to grow Councillors have bold choices to make their local economies. that will be critical to meeting the And, as online shopping’s impact is felt on our high streets, it’s time for a diverse aspirations of the people they serve approach where new businesses and start- ups can ourish. Investment in our high streets does not ne of my favourite parts of this only mean thriving local economies, but job is the chance to work with also thriving communities – places where our great councillors across the James Brokenshire MP is people from all backgrounds can come country – people who strive to Secretary of State for Housing, together in con dent and well-integrated make the places they live better Communities and Local communities. Government Oand improve people’s lives. We must stand together at this critical It’s an ambition I share. My passion for moment, and seize this chance to consider local government isn’t just professional, No-one is better placed to do this what local government in the 21st century it’s deeply personal. My father built his than local councillors like you. After all, can do, and what it can be. career in local government – ultimately you know your communities better than We have bold choices to make. Choices becoming a chief executive – and I grew up anyone else. that, ultimately, will be critical to meeting with local government. Your achievements speak for the aspirations of the people we serve: to The task facing us is wide ranging, themselves. Many of you have continued build more homes, deliver great public but having met so many of you, I know to deliver quality public services and have services and create vibrant communities that we share the ambition to make a maintained public satisfaction levels in a that can prosper. real difference. tough nancial environment. I am con dent that, by working Working together, we have to tackle I know this hasn’t always been easy. together, we can achieve this and more. people’s housing concerns in a meaningful I am committed to working with you as way. We must build quality homes for we put local government nance on a fair The Conservative Party conference young people, families and everyone else and sustainable footing to serve all parts takes place in Birmingham from who needs a place to call their own. of our country. Sunday 30 September to In doing so, we must be mindful of This includes important work on Wednesday 3 October, see protecting the green belt but also recognise the latest phase of our business rates www.conservativepartyconference.com that compromise will sometimes be needed. retention programme, which gives local
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp12-13 Brokenshire.indd 13 14/09/2018 12:58 Pro t with a purpose Councils are becoming Councillor Joy Allen (Lab) is Portfolio Holder for Transformation more commercial, but need at Durham County Council and a member of the LGA’s Improvement to keep social value at the and Innovation Board heart of their work
s funding shrinks, we have seen an increas ed focus on income generation and e ciency savings in local government. But as councils innovate in this area, it is Acritical that they position social value at the heart of their commercial strategies. Recent changes to statutory investment guidance and minimum revenue provision guidance mean councils need to continue to be clear about the purpose behind their pro t. Manchester and Plymouth City Councils are among those leading the way when it comes to the social value in their commercial practice. Each council has its own speci c challenges and, equally, its own unique assets and opportunities. Manchester’s commercial activities are having a successful impact on local jobs, housing, skills and growth. A key aspect of its success is its ability to identify opportunities early and react quickly to markets, using a developers. Developments include a local robust, yet supportive, governance model. business park, a Next fashion, home and Rather than view commercial projects “Councils need to garden store, and investment in an existing in isolation, the council’s ambition is to continue to be clear industrial estate. The council has released develop Manchester as a world-class city. One 33 council-owned sites, using its planning example is Manchester City Football Club’s about the purpose system to develop 5,000 homes between deal with Abu Dhabi United Group to invest 2016 and 2021, with the possibility to in the regeneration of east Manchester. This behind their profit” increase this further. resulted in the Manchester Institute of Health The two city councils are sharing and Performance, which helped victims of the council has replaced 123 strategies with just their experiences to support sector-led Manchester Arena terrorist attack to recover. one, which has a clear social value focus in improvement. Manchester’s Chief Executive In addition, the city council’s joint that it will only invest in the local area. Joanne Roney OBE and Plymouth’s Chief venture, Manchester Life, has enabled the The council’s key driver is economic Executive Tracey Lee addressed the LGA’s building of 1,200 housing units and provided growth and to increase the numbers of annual conference in July, at a packed apprenticeships in leisure, construction, and businesses locally – but it must be inclusive workshop on commercialisation that I health innovation for local people. growth, which bene ts all residents. chaired. The LGA has also been pulling The Manchester Christmas markets The council’s growth and municipal together resources and guidance for councils bring in huge visitor numbers, increasing enterprise programme aims to achieve and councillors, which you can access at spend in the local area and driving economic £1.8 million per year. Two examples of this are www.local.gov.uk/commercialisation growth. And the council’s Town Hall project its co operative trading company, CATERed, is safeguarding, repairing and partially which is jointly owned with local schools, and restoring Manchester’s Grade I listed town Delt, a shared service with the local clinical hall (pictured). It is working with contractors commissioning group, realising savings If you would like to develop your to maximise the local jobs, investment and through scale and resilience. commercial skills, nd out about the apprenticeships created through the project. It is also able to step in where there LGA’s free one-day ‘Commercial skills Plymouth is a developing city. It is the is market failure, for example in direct for councillors’ masterclass at third biggest port in the world and has the developments where the council is www.local.gov.uk/commercialisation biggest naval base in western Europe. The prepared to take on greater risk than private
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp14-15 Profit_Green.indd 14 14/09/2018 16:16 What some of our partners have said
“It is vital that we keep the focus on the plight of social care, in spite of the succession of government postponements of their own green paper. The LGA is to be congratulated on keeping the debate going and we will respond to the issues it raises.” Niall Dickson, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation
“The LGA’s ‘green paper’ represents an important contribution to the debate about what we want society to look like from one of the key contributors to delivering that future. ADASS will work with the LGA alongside all stakeholders in this critical debate, to ensure the voice of adult social care remains prominent throughout.” The lives we Glen Garrod, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services want to lead “By setting out its own green paper, the LGA is demonstrating the sort of cross-party dialogue and collaboration Hundreds of organisations and individuals necessary to deliver the sustainable settlement we desperately need. We are have responded to the LGA’s green paper running out of road for the Government to kick the can down.” on adult social care Professor Paul Burstow FRSA, Chair, Social Care Institute for Excellence ith a rapidly growing the backbone of the care system. For at ageing population, least two decades, successive governments “‘The lives we want to lead’ is a very increases in costs, have failed to find an answer to how we welcome initiative. Where central decreases in funding, care fund adult social care for the long term. government stalls, local government is providers closing and ‘Sticking plaster’ solutions – such as helping to keep adult social care rmly Wcontracts being handed back to councils, one-off funding to councils and on the agenda. We all need to engage the adult social care system is now widely increases through a social care ‘precept’ with the questions in this report, recognised as being at breaking point. to council tax – have failed to address all raise the debate and ll the void Since 2010 councils have had to bridge immediate pressures, let alone deal with left by central government’s lack of a £6 billion funding shortfall just to keep the longer term. policy progress.” the system going. But demand for care is These issues cannot be ignored any Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive, increasing. Councils in England receive longer. This is why the LGA published its Voluntary Organisations Disability Group 1.8 million new requests for adult social own green paper consultation in August and Chair, Care Provider Alliance care a year – the equivalent of nearly (see first 627), with the support of its 5,000 a day. partners (see panel, right). Adult social care services face a We’ve had a fantastic response so £3.5 billion funding gap by 2025, just to far, with thousands of people engaging maintain existing standards of care. online and more than 200 formal The likely consequences of this are responses. We would like to say a big more and more people being unable to get thank you for championing the green the quality and reliable care and support paper on social media, and ask that you that enables them to maintain their keep up the great work as the closing independence and wellbeing, as well as date of the consultation approaches greater strain on unpaid carers, who are on 26 September.
For more information about the LGA’s social care green paper, including resources, suggested tweets and images, please visit www.futureofadultsocialcare.co.uk. On Twitter, use the hashtag #FutureofASC and tag @LGAcomms
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp14-15 Profit_Green.indd 15 14/09/2018 12:58 On the board
Meet the elected members who Leadership Board, plus the chairs of the boards, representatives of Wales and the steer the work of your LGA English regions, balancing members and non-voting members – see below and right. he LGA is a membership structures, with leadership and direction The Leadership Board directs the LGA’s organisation that works on given by a senior group of councillors day-to-day activities and business, in behalf of councils in England from each of our four political groups accordance with the strategic priorities and and Wales to ensure local (Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, direction set by the LGA Executive, and also government has a strong, and Independent). reports and makes recommendations to credibleT voice with central government. The LGA Executive plays a coordinating the executive. We aim to influence and set the role, setting priorities and providing Each year, the LGA Executive is political agenda on the issues that matter strategic direction to the association’s reconstituted to reflect the outcome of the to councils so they are able to deliver local work. It is advised by the LGA Leadership English and Welsh local elections. The LGA’s solutions to national problems. Board (the LGA’s chair, vice-chairs and current political balance is: Conservative One of our strengths is that we are a deputy chairs) and holds the LGA’s – 43.4 per cent; Labour – 38.8 per cent; politically led and cross-party organisation. programme boards to account. Liberal Democrat – 9.7 per cent; and This is reflected in our governance The LGA Executive is made up of the Independent – 8.1 per cent.
LGA leadership board
Lord Porter of Spalding CBE Cllr Marianne Overton MBE Cllr Michael Payne (Con, South Holland) has been (Ind, Lincolnshire) is an LGA Vice- (Lab, Gedling) is an LGA Deputy Chairman of the LGA since 2015 Chair and has been Leader of the Chair, Deputy Leader of Gedling and Leader of South Holland District LGA’s Independent Group since 2011. Borough Council and a member of Council since 2003. He is a former She is Leader of the Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire County Council. Chairman of the District Councils’ Network and Independents and sits on Lincolnshire County [email protected] former Leader of the LGA’s Conservative Group. Council and North Kesteven District Council. [email protected] [email protected] Cllr Lib Peck (Lab, Lambeth) is a Deputy Chair of Cllr Nick Forbes Cllr Robert Alden the LGA. First elected in 2001, she (Lab, Newcastle) is the LGA’s Senior (Con, Birmingham) is an LGA has been the Leader of Lambeth Vice-Chair and Leader of the LGA’s Deputy Chairman. First elected in Council since 2012. Labour Group. He has been a Labour 2006, he is Leader of the Conservative [email protected] councillor since 2000 and was elected Group on Birmingham City Council. Leader of Newcastle City Council in 2011. [email protected] Cllr Anne Western CBE [email protected] (Lab, Derbyshire) is an LGA Deputy Chair Cllr Paul Carter CBE and former Leader of Derbyshire County Cllr James Jamieson (Con, Kent) is a Deputy Chairman Council. She was rst elected in 1997. (Con, Central Bedfordshire) is an of the LGA, Leader of Kent County [email protected] LGA Vice-Chairman and was elected Council, and Chairman of the Leader of the LGA’s Conservative County Councils Network. Cllr Ruth Dombey OBE Group earlier this year. He was rst [email protected] (Lib Dem, Sutton) is a Deputy Chair elected in 2009 and became Leader of Central of the LGA. First elected in 2002, Bedfordshire Council in 2011. Cllr Izzi Seccombe OBE she has been the Leader of Sutton [email protected] (Con, Warwickshire) is an LGA Deputy Council since 2012. Chairman. First elected in 2001, she [email protected] Cllr Howard Sykes MBE became the rst female Leader of (Lib Dem, Oldham) is an LGA Vice-Chair Warwickshire County Council in 2013. Cllr Clive Woodbridge and was elected Leader of the LGA’s [email protected] (Ind, Epsom and Ewell) is an LGA Deputy Liberal Democrat Group in 2017. He is Chair and was Leader of Epsom and a former Leader and Deputy Leader of Cllr David Simmonds CBE Ewell Borough Council for ve years. Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, and currently (Con, Hillingdon) is a Deputy Chairman [email protected] Leader of the Opposition. of the LGA and has been Deputy Leader [email protected] of Hillingdon Council since 2002. [email protected]
Cllr Peter Box CBE (Lab, Wake eld) is an LGA Deputy Chair and has been Leader of Wake eld Metropolitan Borough Council since 1998. pbox@wake eld.gov.uk
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp16-17 exe.indd 16 14/09/2018 13:00 board chairs and other executive members regional and Wales
Cllr Peter Fleming OBE Cllr Sir Richard Leese CBE Cllr David Finch (Con, Sevenoaks) is Chairman of the (Lab, Manchester) is Chair of the (Con, Essex) represents the East of Eng- LGA’s Improvement and Innovation LGA’s City Regions Board, Leader of land LGA. He is also a member of the LGA’s Board and has been Leader of Manchester City Council, and Greater Resources Board and has been Leader of Sevenoaks District Council since 2005. Manchester Combined Authority’s Essex County Council since 2013. cllr. [email protected] Deputy Mayor for the Economy. cllr.david. [email protected] [email protected] Cllr Mark Hawthorne MBE Cllr John Hart (Con, Gloucestershire) is Chairman Cllr Richard Watts (Con, Devon) has been Leader of of the LGA’s People and Places Board, (Lab, Islington) is Chair of the LGA’s Devon County Council since 2009 and is Leader of Gloucestershire County Resources Board and has been the Chairman of South West Councils. Council, and a former Leader of Leader of Islington Council since 2013. [email protected] Gloucester City Council. He joined the council in 2006. [email protected] [email protected] Cllr Barry Lewis (Con, Derbyshire) represents East Cllr Ian Hudspeth Cllr Rishi Shori Midlands Councils. He is Derbyshire (Con, Oxfordshire) is Chairman of the (Lab, Bury) is a Balancing Member on County Council’s Leader and Cabinet LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board and the LGA’s Executive, a Deputy Chair of Member for Strategic Leadership, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council. the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Culture and Tourism. He was rst elected in 2005, becoming Board, and Leader and Cabinet Member [email protected] Leader in 2012. for Economic Growth and Transport at Bury Council. [email protected] [email protected] Cllr Stephen Parnaby OBE (Con, East Riding) has been Leader of Cllr Martin Tett Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE the East Riding of Yorkshire Council since (Con, Buckinghamshire) is Chairman (Lib Dem, Portsmouth) is Chair of its inception in 1996, and represents of the LGA’s Environment, Economy, the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Yorkshire and Humber at the LGA. Housing and Transport Board and Board, and Leader of Portsmouth [email protected] has led Buckinghamshire County City Council. Council since 2011. [email protected] Cllr Roy Perry [email protected] (Con, Hampshire) is Chairman of South Cllr Lucy Nethsingha (Lib Dem, East England Councils and has been Cllr Simon Blackburn Cambridge) is a Balancing Member on Leader of Hampshire County Council (Lab, Blackpool) is Chair of the LGA’s the LGA’s Executive, and was elected to since 2013. He was rst elected in 2005. Safer and Stronger Communities Board Cambridge City Council in 2016. [email protected] and has been Leader of Blackpool [email protected] Council since 2011. Cllr Michael Wilcox [email protected] Cllr Robert Bucke (Con, Lich eld) represents the West (Ind, Tendring) is a Balancing member Midlands on the LGA’s Executive. Cllr Anntoinette Bramble on the LGA’s Executive, and was elected He has been Leader of Lich eld (Lab, Hackney) is Chair of the LGA’s to Tendring District Council in 2015. District Council since 2010. Children and Young People Board, and [email protected] michael.wilcox@lich elddc.gov.uk Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Education, Young People and Children’s Cllr Simon Henig CBE Social Care at Hackney Council. (Lab, Durham) represents the North [email protected] East on the LGA Executive. First elected in 1999, he has been Leader of Durham Council since 2008. [email protected]
non-voting members Cllr Peter John OBE Cllr Philip Atkins OBE Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton CBE (Lab, Southwark) is Chair of London (Con, Sta ordshire) represents the (Lab, Barnsley) is Leader of Barnsley Councils and Leader of Southwark County Councils Network and is Leader Metropolitan Borough Council and Council. He is also a member of the of Sta ordshire County Council. Chair of the LGA’s Special Interest Group LGA’s City Regions Board. philip.atkins@sta ordshire.gov.uk of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA). [email protected] [email protected] Cllr John Fuller Cllr Terry O’Neill (Con, South Norfolk) is Chairman of the Alderman Sir David Wootton (Lab, Warrington) represents the North District Councils’ Network and Leader of (Ind, City of London) is Chairman of West Regional Leaders Board. He was rst South Norfolk District Council. Local Partnerships and a member of elected in 1991 and has been Leader of [email protected] the City of London Corporation. Warrington Borough Council since 2011. david.wootton@cityo ondon.gov.uk [email protected] Cllr Debbie Wilcox (Lab, Newport) is the Leader of the You can nd out more about your LGA Executive colleagues and Welsh LGA, Leader of Newport City other councillors who sit on the LGA’s boards by visiting Council, and also sits on the LGA’s www.local.gov.uk/about/our-meetings-and-leadership/lga-leadership City Regions Board. [email protected]
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp16-17 exe.indd 17 14/09/2018 13:00 interview Real people, real services Complaints about councils can provide an early warning of where things are going wrong, says Local Government and Social lected members should be at the Care Ombudsman Michael King heart of complaints about their councils, according to Michael King. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman sees Ehis o ce as sharing a key role with councillors in providing local accountability for public services. “There is a really strong relationship between the feedback and intelligence we get from complaints, and the role of members in trying to represent their locality but also to hold their own local authority to account,” Mr King says. Members – either as part of the executive or as part of full council – are on the receiving end of his o ce’s work; they act as local representatives (originally, residents could only bring complaints to the ombudsman through their local councillor), and they can provide a link between scrutiny and complaints, he adds. “Complaints provide an incredibly useful set of data and intelligence for members to use in scrutiny, because they are the real stories of real people using real services, and I think that’s why they are so valuable,” says Mr King. “Councillors are the natural eyes in “I want a more giving the public a voice when things go wrong, and in trying to promote sophisticated service improvement, transparency and conversation with accountability at a local level. So I think there is a really strong relationship for us to the sector – and, if have with elected members; it’s certainly not one they need to feel defensive of.” possible, with the The Local Government and Social Care media – about what Ombudsman (LGO) investigates individual complaints about local public services and complaints mean” registered social care providers. In 2017/18, it logged 17,452 complaints. It carried out
18 | first interview www.local.gov.uk
LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp18-21 Interview.indd 18 14/09/2018 13:02 CHRIS SHARP © CHRIS
4,020 detailed investigations, upholding there are a small number of them, it’s a self- receive, and local authorities increasingly 57 per cent of these complaints, and made selecting group, how much does that tell saying they can’t a ord to do what guidance 3,622 recommendations to put things right. you about the world?’ or legislation tells them to do – for example, Each year, the LGO writes to every council “Yet over and over again, what we nd around some areas of charging for care. about their complaints, and publishes is that they are actually quite a signi cant “There are some structural things we are thematic reports identifying trends and and telling insight, and an early warning seeing, where in some cases it’s not about issues a ecting the sector (these also into things that are going wrong, either with individual mistakes, misunderstandings include questions for councillors to ask in individual authorities or in terms of trends. or errors, it’s about policy positions being scrutiny). Recent high-pro le reports have “The strength of it is it’s the lived adopted to try to balance the books, which looked at homelessness and temporary experience of local government re ected are either not in accordance with principles accommodation, as well as education, in people’s complaints. And often, they of good public administration or have health and care plans. provide some really profound insights into unforeseen consequences for people at the Mr King is the rst to concede that what’s going on.” margins,” he says. the number of complaints received by an So should councillors be worried if their In children’s services, the LGO continues individual council will usually correlate local authority is getting a lot of complaints to monitor education, health and care to the size of its population and its – or, conversely, if it is getting very few? plans (EHCPs), where the uphold rate on responsibilities. A large, upper tier authority “Sometimes good authorities get lots complaints remains at around 80 per cent will get more complaints than a small of complaints because they are very open, – mostly to do with delays and failings in district council. mature – they’re listening, they’re learning. moving children from statements of special A doubling of complaints in the latter could I would never condemn a local authority educational needs to EHCPs. be the result of just one controversial planning for having high numbers of complaints,” And, last year, the LGO’s report on development or a mobile phone mast going says Mr King. homelessness identi ed continuing up – “it doesn’t tell you anything about the “If you’re getting disproportionately problems with homelessness and housing corporate health of the authority”, he says. fewer complaints than similar authorities, in London, but also that these problems “I’m very keen to try to move the national then that’s a cause for concern. If I was were spreading beyond the capital – and conversation about complaints away from an elected member, I would be asking a ecting working families, rather than ‘have they gone up or have they gone down’ questions because that, potentially, is a ‘stereotypical’ rough sleepers. to what do they tell us about the corporate sign you are not open to feedback – you’re “People think of homelessness in terms health of that body? What do they tell us not listening to the people who use your of people sleeping rough on the streets, about lessons we can learn to avoid the services, and maybe problems are being people who’ve got drink or drug problems same things happening again, and how can swept under the carpet.” or are going through some sort of life crisis,” we use them to drive service improvement? The three areas the LGO has reported on says Mr King. “I want a more sophisticated conversation most in the last 12 months are adult social “That’s not the big picture of with the sector – and, if possible, with the care, children’s services, and homelessness. homelessness we are dealing with through media – about what complaints mean.” The LGO has recorded year-on-year increases our complaints. We’re seeing people – Allowing for that big picture, however, Mr in complaint numbers for adult social care for often who are in work – being priced out King is adamant that complaints can help the past eight years, with a disproportionate of private sector accommodation and to identify trends within local government number (around two-thirds) of those being housed in unsuitable temporary as a whole, and particular concerns within complaints upheld . accommodation. In some cases, ironically, individual councils. Mr King is concerned about sometimes it’s people who work for the council who are “It would be easy to think ‘complaints, “arbitrary cuts” in the amount of care people applying for help with homelessness.”
October 2018 first interview | 19
LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp18-21 Interview.indd 19 14/09/2018 13:02 “It would be wrong for us to arbitrarily disapply people’s rights because of local funding pressures”
The LGA continues to campaign for disapply people’s rights because of local how councils are managing change and improved funding for local government, funding pressures. That doesn’t mean transformation, and how that is playing out particularly in adult care and children’s I’m blind to the realities and di culties in terms of complaints. Mr King is concerned services. But while Mr King, as a former that local authorities face. The LGO has about the introduction of blanket policies local government o cer, is sympathetic been through the same process; we’ve that have unforeseen consequences or, in to the sector’s nancial situation, he is implemented cuts of 43 per cent, so we’ve some cases, are unlawful, and instances of adamant that it must hold councils to got the t-shirt.” “corporate memory loss” as services are account based on established law, rights, Looking ahead, the LGO is making outsourced or recon gured in di erent ways. guidance and standards. changes to how it records and publishes His o ce has come across instances “We have to be very careful not to be data about how complaints are remedied, where local authorities have lost access to political and draw political conclusions. It’s with the aim of moving away from a their own records, which shows “just how for others to draw conclusions about what simplistic focus on complaint volumes to important it is to put proper governance might be going wrong. We can’t comment one that looks at the lessons that can be around these arrangements”. on whether things are properly funded or learned to improve services for the “The commercialisation and not, or whether the legislation is correct or many, not just those who complain. These transformation agenda brings new not, that’s just not our remit. All we can do include plans for an interactive map challenges in terms of public accountability,” is highlight the experiences we are seeing showing how councils have responded to Mr King says. through the lens of complaints,” he says. LGO recommendations. “Signi cant externalisation of services “It would be wrong for us to arbitrarily Also in the pipeline is a report on shouldn’t mean that a golden thread of accountability between the public and the council is lost. People should be building into their outsourcing contracts provisions so they have proper oversight of what’s being delivered, but also so that there’s proper accountability for when people complain. We’re seeing that done very well, sometimes we’re seeing it absent altogether. “On a similar note, there’s lots of new partnerships and structures emerging in local government – combined authorities, partnerships with the health service. Lots of those things are wholly good and are attempts to create more joined up public services. “But again, in creating those new structures, you have to be very clear that public accountability needs to remain at the heart of it – the public voice has to be there.” He adds: “We see some authorities that are very defensive and unhelpful when we try to investigate. We see others who are mature and open. “It’s not about whether you make mistakes, because we all do – me included; it’s about how you react to them and how
CHRIS SHARP © CHRIS you learn from them.”
20 | first interview www.local.gov.uk
LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp18-21 Interview.indd 20 14/09/2018 13:02 LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp18-21 Interview.indd 21 14/09/2018 13:02 LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp22-23 Lead Com.indd 22 14/09/2018 13:02 comment
aren’t performing well, we will be very clear Inspecting children’s about that. To date, sector colleagues tell me that ILACS is tough, but fair. The good news is that we have seen services many places using their previous inspection outcome and better self-evaluation to create an environment for good decision-making wider suite of inspection ‘tools’. The inspections and good social care practice to thrive. are risk-based, proportionate, and tailored to a Ultimately, this helps ensure children are Yvette Stanley is National local authority’s speci c circumstances. better protected. Director for Social Care at the ILACS involves an annual engagement Where these building blocks aren’t in place, O ce for Standards in Education, meeting for all local authorities; shorter, our reports identify what needs to improve. Children’s Services and Skills one-week inspections for authorities previously For signi cant concerns, we will set out (Ofsted) judged good or outstanding; two-week ‘areas for priority action’, which we expect the standard inspections for those requiring local authority to respond to swiftly with an The new Inspection of Local Authority improvement to be good; with focused visits in action plan. Children’s Services (ILACS) framework between and regular monitoring for Of course, it is di cult to talk about launched in January. And, since joining inadequate authorities before we re-inspect. performance without the spectre of nances Ofsted, it has been my job to make sure Most crucially, it aims to support surfacing. Indeed, one of the most common that the way it is being delivered on the improvement and catch those who aren’t questions I get from chief executives is: “How ground re ects what the sector signed up improving before they fall. do I know that my director of children’s to in principle. I’m pleased to say – so far, So far, about 60 per cent of areas inspected services is managing spend, as well as so good! under the new approach have improved their managing risk to children?” Children’s experiences and progress are still grading, and the proportion moving out of Many local authorities are achieving this at the heart of ILACS. The biggest change is the ‘inadequate’ at re-inspection is similar. This is delicate balance, making e ective decisions for move from a four-week inspection every four not a lowered bar: we are using the same children even in a tough nancial climate. years to much more regular contact and a grade descriptors, and where local authorities The best places have the elements you would expect in common: a stable leadership team, well-implemented models of practice, and a direct line of sight to, and understanding of, the risks frontline sta are managing. Absolutely critical is manageable caseloads, which mean social workers can do e ective direct work with families, and make good, timely decisions. We are, of course, conscious of context when we inspect. But our role is to assess practice and its impact on children and families. We all know the cost of inadequacy, both reputational and nancial. I would argue that getting it right – right child, right support, right time – is the most e cient use of hard-pressed resources. In inspections to date, I have seen a sector that, despite the massive challenge of increasing demand and tightening funding, is ever more resourceful, and eager to get the Yvette Stanley and Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman will be speaking at the most impact for children within that context. National Children and Adult Services Conference 2018 in Manchester from 14-16 November. That’s good for local authorities and, most For more information and to book your place, please visit www.ncasc.info importantly, good for our most vulnerable children and families.
October 2018 first comment | 23
LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp22-23 Lead Com.indd 23 14/09/2018 13:03 group leaders’ comments
Austerity is damaging services for children
Councillor Nick Forbes “Councils are struggling to meet the increased is Leader of the LGA’s demand that children’s social care now faces” Labour Group
hildren’s social care has seen a dramatic If local authorities aren’t given the injection cuts to other essential council services. Csurge in demand over recent years and, as of funding that is desperately needed, they will It is time that the Government woke up a result, it has moved up the agenda for local continue to struggle to give the support that and realised the damage that its austerity and national government. vulnerable children need. agenda is doing to the most vulnerable in The LGA revealed in January that a child The combination of continued cuts from society, and that it simply cannot continue. is being referred to local authority children’s central government and the surge in demand Simply put, councils have tried to protect services every 49 seconds and that an average for access to children’s social care means children’s budgets, but – with the continued of 90 children entered care every day last year, that, in the past year alone, there was an financial pressures – this cannot be done which also saw the largest annual increase in £816 million overspend in councils’ children’s any longer. The funding gap must be care numbers since 2010. social care budgets. addressed to ensure that children’s services Councils have warned the Government Councils have worked endlessly to are protected and continue to support the time and time again that ongoing funding protect funding for essential children’s most vulnerable in society, now and in years cuts, including the £3 billion gap that councils’ services, but budget pressures from relentless to come. children’s services are facing by 2025, have Tory government cuts since 2010 have ● See Bright Futures, the LGA’s campaign left them struggling to meet the increased meant they often fac e the di cult choice of for children’s services, at www.local.gov.uk/ demand that children’s social care now faces. overspending to meet demand and making bright-futures
chairman’s comment Social housing: a missed opportunity
quickly, support home ownership, reduce struggling in expensive, less secure private homelessness, and generate huge public rented housing. service savings. The last time the country built enough Unfortunately, the Government’s Social homes, councils built 40 per cent of Housing Green Paper, published over the them. We need a renaissance in council Lord Porter summer, showed a disappointing lack of building, led by a removal of borrowing is Chairman of the LGA ambition on this front. restrictions, local retention of all Right to There were some positive measures. We Buy sales receipts, and exibility to set will be able to invest greater proportions Right to Buy discounts. ood housing is at the heart of of Right to Buy receipts into new homes, The Social Housing Green Paper Geverything else we, as councils, do. match receipts with the A ordable Housing proposals are not su cient on their own If your residents have poor housing, you – Programme grant – and we won’t have to sell to bring about this renaissance, which and they – have a problem. And not just a o our high-value council houses. Retaining will only be achieved by enabling housing problem: you have an education local exibilities on xed-term tenancies is councils to build the homes that their problem, a health problem, an anti-social also welcome. communities need. We will continue to behaviour problem. But, right now, councils are housing 77,000 press government to make the changes Many of the di cult things councils families and 125,000 homeless children in we want to see and hope that the Green have to help people with stem from bad temporary accommodation, with a further Paper is a starting point for a more housing. So the best way to x any of those million on waiting lists, and many more families ambitious plan. problems is to make sure everybody has a safe, secure, decent home. That’s why the LGA believes a signi cant expansion in social housing “The Green Paper proposals are not sufficient on is the single most important step the Government could take to help solve the their own to bring about a renaissance in council housing crisis. It would add new supply house building”
24 | first comment www.local.gov.uk
LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp24-25 Com.indd 24 14/09/2018 13:03 group leaders’ comments
Councillor James Jamieson Councillor Howard Sykes MBE Councillor Marianne Overton is Leader of the LGA’s is Leader of the LGA’s MBE is Leader of the LGA’s Conservative Group Liberal Democrat Group Independent Group
Funding messages for Children self-harming Looking ahead to party conference gures are horrifying next May’s elections
“Conservative councils “Many councils are “We are listening to you, consistently deliver being forced to cut early speaking for councils excellent services in intervention work, which nationally, and getting challenging financial helps children avoid more good people circumstances” reaching crisis point” to stand”
arty conference marks the start of the new inisters, and all of us, need to address the fter one of the hottest UK summers on Ppolitical year, and with the Conservative Mcrisis in children’s mental health, after a Arecord, the new political year is under way, Party still rmly entrenched as the largest recent Children’s Society report revealed that along with a busy season of LGA Independent party in local government after the local around one in four 14-year-old girls self-harms Group events, including regional activity and elections, I look forward to our voice being – a gure I nd horrifying, especially as a our annual conference on 23 November. heard loud and clear in Birmingham. father of two girls. Our aim, as always, is to help members do We all know that local government is ‘The good childhood report 2018’, which a great job for your residents. We are listening the most e cient and trusted part of the examines the state of children’s wellbeing to you and speaking for councils nationally, public sector, and that Conservative councils in the UK, found that, out of the 11,000 as well as getting more good people to stand consistently deliver excellent services in children surveyed, one in six reported self- for election. challenging nancial circumstances. harming at 14. The elections next May are very signi cant Party conference provides us with One told the charity: “I felt like self- for us. It is important that each of our a unique opportunity to lobby Cabinet harming was what I wanted to do and had to councillors has a supportive network in place. members, MPs and key advisers with our do, as there was nothing else I could do. Some of your supporters may get engaged messages around funding, and for us to I think there is help for young people, but not in local issues, or want to assist more directly be allowed more freedom so that we can the right kind of help. by being a councillor in a neighbouring ward, continue to deliver for our residents. “Feeling not pretty enough or good adding strength to your work. The LGA will host two events: our enough as other girls did contribute towards Through the LGA’s Be a Councillor conference debate, ‘Investing in our future: my self-harming; however, I don’t feel just campaign, we are able to help our members why the spending review must provide being a girl is the reason, as I think boys feel reach prospective candidates, encouraging for communities’ (ICC, Hall 9, 3.45 pm to the same way too.” those already active in their communities 5.00 pm on Monday 1 October); and our Councils work hard to ensure children to stand. Do get in touch with the o ce for evening reception (ICC, Media Suite, 9.30 pm and young people can access the support more information. to 11.00 pm on Tuesday 2 October). they need. However, with children’s services So as we prepare for elections next May, I am delighted that Communities facing a £3 billion funding gap by 2025, we also focus on the key policies at hand and Secretary James Brokenshire MP has indicated many of our councils are being forced to being a strong voice for local government that he will be present at both. cut early intervention work – including in discussions on Brexit, adult social care, In addition to these events, LGA youth services – which helps children avoid housing and the ongoing funding pressures Conservative Group colleagues will be reaching crisis point. facing us all. speaking at a range of fringe meetings during Government should release the The year ahead will, undoubtedly, the conference week. Further details on these £1.7 billion promised for child and adolescent be another challenging one for local will be provided in our monthly email bulletin mental health services as a matter of urgency. government, but our voice on behalf of our at the end of September. It is scandal every day it does not! authorities is loud and being heard. I look forward to meeting many of you in Birmingham.
For more information about the LGA’s political groups, see www.local.gov.uk
October 2018 first comment | 25
LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp24-25 Com.indd 25 14/09/2018 13:03 Apprenticeships for all
way beyond the traditional work experience Students from placement. Brooke School at Rugby It’s a team e ort, with teachers from the Councillor Emma Crane (Con) Borough Council school o ering support to the student in the is Portfolio Holder for workplace, while each intern also has a council Communities and Homes at mentor, who ensures the student develops the Rugby Borough Council con dence and skills to make a real contribution. And it’s delivered results, with one of the Faced with the prospect of a third of interns successfully transferring to the council’s our sta being aged over 50 by 2020, apprenticeship programme and completing an Rugby Borough Council launched an information technology quali cation. apprenticeship programme to recruit and The success of the Brooke School develop young people. partnership led us to broaden the scope of our It’s been a success, with half of the apprenticeship programme and we now o er apprentices securing permanent or xed-term apprenticeships to young people with physical contracts with the council, in roles ranging or learning disabilities, and young people on from trainee licensing o cer to trainee the autism spectrum. horticultural mechanic. It requires a high level of commitment from
But we wanted to take our apprenticeship COUNCIL BOROUGH RUGBY both the apprentice and council sta , with a programme a step further. wide range of our teams o ering placements Three years ago, we forged a partnership achieving ‘excellent’ status under the Equality during the apprenticeship to ensure they learn with Rugby’s Brooke School, which caters Framework for Local Government for the a variety of skills and develop con dence in for young people with a variety of needs, rst time in 2014 and again in 2017, when it the workplace. including physical, sensory, emotional and was reassessed. But this commitment brings rewards, both communication disorders. Working with Brooke School’s Making My in terms of the diversi cation of our workforce The council has placed equality and Own Way Project, we have provided internships and the opportunities we can o er to young diversity at the heart of the organisation, to 10 students, o ering opportunities that go people in our borough.
Supporting adopted children with special needs
A quarter of the children that leave care go to ‘permanent’ new homes, with either adoptive parents or special guardians assuming parental responsibility. But for two-thirds of those children, that Andrew Christie is Chair of is not the end of the story, so far as the local the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board authority’s responsibility goes, because that is the proportion who have additional or complex needs. adoption services for a third of local authorities, These children are likely to need extra and, in total, more than 90 per cent of help at some point in their childhood, if not councils have already set up their RAA or are on an ongoing basis. Each local authority is progressing plans to do so. required to publish its plans for how it will Looking ahead, we can be con dent Leadership Board will monitor performance support these children. there will be su cient RAAs to ensure there across the country every quarter. I hope you Regional adoption agencies (RAAs) o er are enough adopters. At present, we face a will help ensure those children who need it the opportunity for a step change in the shortfall in recruitment. We run the risk that are o ered a good adoptive home, and are delivery of these support services, removing children will wait longer for matches to families given support as and when they and their the postcode lottery that – sadly – means or, even worse, be denied an adoptive family. families need it. there is not consistently reliable delivery of this Children’s Minister Nadhim Zahawi vital support for some of the most vulnerable MP has asked all local authorities for their For more information about the children in our communities. recruitment projections. All but 10 have Adoption and Special Guardianship RAAs are a working example of the sector- provided this information. Now we must Leadership Board, please visit led improvement that local government ensure we secure delivery. www.cvaa.org.uk/asglb/ wants to promote. They are already providing The Adoption and Special Guardianship
26 | first comment www.local.gov.uk
LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp26-27 Com.indd 26 14/09/2018 13:04 Putting children’s rights into practice UNICEF\SUTTON HIBBERT
Since 2017, Cardiff – alongside four other cycle in the city centre and enjoy a range of cities and communities in the UK – has been free family-friendly activities. working with U NICEF UK and our partners Councillor Sarah Merry (Lab) A Street Play pilot programme has started, towards international recognition as a is Deputy Leader of Cardi where residents can simply apply to close their U NICEF Child Friendly City. Council and Cabinet Member roads on a monthly basis, to enable children to This means placing the rights and voices of for Education, Employment play safely in their streets. and Skills children and young people at the heart of our And Cardi has adopted a ‘Think Family’ policies, strategies and services; involving them approach, making sure that public services are in decision-making; and addressing the barriers healthy lifestyles, and maintain good social joined up and that children and families are that limit their life chances. relationships. given the right support, in the right way, at Cardi ’s commitment to becoming a When it comes to families, our ambition the right time in the rst 1,000 days of a child’s U NICEF Child Friendly City must be shaped is for Cardi to be a place where all families life. Cardi is also working towards U NICEF UK by children and young people. Since the very are supported to be together and can enjoy Baby Friendly accreditation in maternity and beginning of our journey, they have worked activities around the city. community health services. with us so that we can nd out where they And on health, giving children the We are at the beginning of our journey think our priorities should lie. best start in life is a priority. Getting it right towards becoming a U NICEF Child Friendly Based on what they’ve told us, we are for families in the rst 1,000 days – from City, with much more to come. I, along with a prioritising education, family and belonging, conception to a child’s second birthday – is third of my councillor colleagues, have received and health. critical to achieving this aim. training in children’s rights from U NICEF UK, On education, making sure Cardi ’s We are already seeing progress in all with another round of training planned for schools embed child-rights practices – where three of these areas. More than 30 of the autumn. the voices of young people are heard and our schools have started their journey Through this work we can ensure that the acted upon – will be front and centre of our towards becoming U NICEF UK Rights voices of our children and young people are ambitions to become a Child Friendly City. Respecting Schools. In May this year, heard. This means the priorities we set as a city Developing skills for life is also at the heart meanwhile, we held our biggest car-free are informed by a diverse mix of interests and of our approach. It has been estimated that event. Thousands of families were able to opinions, and are relevant and bene cial to all. nearly two in three children entering schools today will end up working in jobs that do UNICEF UK’s Child Friendly Cities & Communities programme works in partnership not yet exist. In our Child Friendly City, with local councils across the UK to help make places where all children feel safe, children will leave school with the life skills heard, nurtured and able to flourish, using the United Nations Convention on the they have told us they need to succeed, Rights of the Child as its guide. For more information, please visit: including the abilities to make well-balanced www.unicef.org.uk/child-friendly-cities decisions, manage personal nances, develop
October 2018 first comment | 27
LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp26-27 Com.indd 27 14/09/2018 13:04 Community energy for all Community energy initiatives are demand-reduction schemes? This could be wide-ranging, from community- insulation and solar panel schemes targeted at owned renewable energy schemes and low-income and council-owned households, street-wide insulation programmes, to running loan schemes to enable householders bulk-buying schemes and green open- Harriet Sansom is a Communities to buy energy-e cient appliances, or homes events. Project Manager at the Centre for providing nancial backing to large-scale They bring multiple bene ts – reducing Sustainable Energy community-owned energy schemes. fuel bills and helping alleviate fuel poverty; Arrange for local stakeholders from local creating jobs and strengthening the local energy schemes, and encourage high government, the private sector, community supply chain; building community capacity building-fabric standards in new builds. development organisations, health bodies and pride; and helping meet carbon-reduction Where neighbourhood plans are being and energy agencies to come together and targets and mitigate climate change. written, urge residents to think about brainstorm what could be done locally on But most community energy projects sustainable energy from the beginning of their sustainable energy. happen in more a uent areas, meaning these plan development – and support those who While it’s a time of restricted capacity and bene ts aren’t as widely shared as they might are already doing it. funds in local government, community energy be. That’s not to say there aren’t initiatives in You can highlight the untapped initiatives can build the long-term economic low-income neighbourhoods, but there could community energy opportunities that resilience of a community – and there are be far more. exist with the council’s buildings and land, many great examples already demonstrating The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) and engage with the council regarding its this. Councillors and councils play a critical spoke to community energy initiatives in low- investment activities. Are there opportunities leadership role in supporting and driving income neighbourhoods, and found many for building local renewable energy and forward these initiatives. ways in which councillors can help. For example, they can press for the For more information about the work of the Centre for Sustainable Energy, or to read integration of community ownership and ‘Bringing local energy benefits to deprived communities’, please visit www.cse.org.uk. bene t in planning proposals for renewable Giving young people a voice
governors, teachers and my colleagues from all parties. “Even the youngest Projects included a magni cent video by four schools in Chorleywood, which featured students can play an Councillor Alex Michaels (Lib the students talking about a controversial Dem) is Chairman of Three Rivers project to build a playground on the common active and important District Council’s Youth Council – the rst time children had a voice in this role in society” long-running saga. I’ve chaired Three Rivers District Council’s They also included litter picking, visiting excitement provided inspiration for us all. Youth Council for just over a year, and and working with elderly people, and lots of At the end, when councillors from all it’s amazing how much you can achieve debates and discussion in the form of videos, parties came on stage to take questions, I was working with young people in such a short slideshows and presentations. acutely aware that – while we represent the amount of time. Our aim was to do as little talking as local authority to them (and often our parties Since having our rst meeting in October possible, and let the students and their to each other) – they represent the future to 2017 (see rst 620), the 15 schools we projects talk for themselves. It became clear us. We must involve them more and empower have worked with have impressed us with that even the youngest students, aged six and them to lead us. After all, they inherit the the progress they have made in the seven, can nd their voice and play an active world from us, and we must give them a community projects we discussed less than and important role in society. voice now. three terms ago. We all know young people are the future, We have gone from having two but only when we gave them a platform did For more information, please representatives from each school council to we realise how undervalued their role is in follow Cllr Alex Michaels on hosting all 200 members, with them barely society . Every session needed to be cut short as Twitter @MrAlexMichaels tting into our theatre alongside parents, the questions were endless, and the students’
28 | first comment www.local.gov.uk
LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp28 Com.indd 28 14/09/2018 13:05 parliament
scheme that ensures there is adequate protection for human rights, including any Protecting the guidance to support the Act. While the LGA is supportive of the Bill, we will want to see a number of changes to most vulnerable ensure that councils are not unduly burdened by the new provisions. With normal service resumed in Parliament people since the well-documented We support an amendment tabled by following the summer recess, a number increase in responsibilities following a 2014 Baroness Thornton relating to provisions to of important bills are being discussed in Supreme Court judgment. Despite this, local extend the safeguards to 16 and 17-year- both the House of Commons and House government has continued to prioritise olds. It is vital there is a consistent approach of Lords. those most in need. Even with an 11 per cent across social care that supports vulnerable One such is the Mental Capacity increase in applications from 2015/16 to people of all ages. This Bill is an opportunity (Amendment) Bill, which is currently in 2016/17, the number of DoLS applications to introduce this recommendation, and would Committee in the Lords, and which the LGA completed in 2016/17 increased by align with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. has provided brie ngs for. 45 per cent. Councils are currently experiencing The Bill seeks to reform the current We look forward to working with signi cant pressures across adult social care deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) government on the development and budgets, and the system is widely perceived system, which would enable councils to work implementation of a reformed, fully funded as being in a state of crisis. Since 2010, with their partners locally to ensure people councils have had to deal with a £6 billion who lack mental capacity are placed at the funding gap in adult social care services, and centre of decisions made about their care. The we estimate the service faces a funding gap of LGA has long called for these changes and “It is vital there is a £3.56 billion by 2025. welcomed the introduction of the Bill. Therefore, it is important that sustainable Councils have been working hard to consistent approach funding for adult social care for transition to, protect the rights of the most vulnerable across social care” and implementation of, the Bill is provided to councils. Failure to do so could have a damaging impact on the crucial services on which people rely. We support an amendment which requires the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to report on the impact of the Act on those it applies to, including individuals, local authorities and care home providers. The amendment commits the Government to laying a report in Parliament on the operation of deprivation of liberty safeguards no later than two years after the Bill receives Royal Assent, and is important as it will help with consideration of the impact of cost pressures on council budgets. We will be working with government and Parliament on the Bill to in uence its nal shape, and to help create a simpler and less bureaucratic deprivation of liberty safeguards system.
For more information about the LGA’s work in Parliament, please visit www.local.gov.uk/parliament
October 2018 first political | 29
LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp29 Parl.indd 29 14/09/2018 13:06 councillor A year in the life of…
Councillor Neil Prior (Ind) is Cabinet Member for Transformation and IT at Pembrokeshire County Council
I’ve been in my post a little over a year at Pembrokeshire County Council, and it has been the busiest year of my life. So “To get things done, I thought I’d share my thoughts – and my top tips for surviving and thriving in you’ll need to build elected life. your credibility” Immerse yourself. Local government is complex but when you add in ‘code of conduct’ and ‘constitution’ training, and have worked out which scrutiny committee does what, you’ll realise how enormous it really is. So throw yourself into it, but realise that Leadership. You are a leader of both your 24/7 and you’ll have to deal with wide- there will come a point when you’ll know community and council. This is more explicit ranging issues where people genuinely where you can best spend your time. in my case as I am a cabinet member. Finding need your help. That’s a big responsibility ‘The bloody council’. There will be a your feet is not easy but, by being clear in but incredibly ful lling, and it’s what people honeymoon period where council critics will my objectives, building my credibility and elected you for. They don’t really care about hold high hopes for the future and you can by being authentic, I think I’m getting there. the brilliant contribution you made in do no wrong, but sooner or later you will be I’ve also had to remind myself that leading scrutiny, they care about the grass being cut labelled a self-serving, in-it-for-yourself crook change is di cult. and the bins being collected. and liar. Pace and process. Local government can Council is theatre. I watch and listen to While I’m a fan of social media, there be painfully slow. As someone who’s worked the more experienced in the chamber for the will probably be an online group who have in the technology sector, it’s been a challenge way they construct their arguments and their a strong opinion on your actions, and will to increase the speed of our transformation timing. And while it’s daunting, it’s important happily share their thoughts on the internet. programme but I’ve been fortunate enough to to get on your feet and be part of it. Build relationships. You are a potential have some brilliant senior sta to work with. Ful lment and purpose. People have threat to an established way of working, Balance. Depending on your availability put their faith in you to serve them, and this and other members will want to know if you and other commitments, you will need to is your priority. It’s critical to remember that will support them. On the ip side, there nd the balance of your work in the council, you work for them. are o cers and councillors who want to see on the council, and in your community. You Enjoy it. It’s a privilege to serve and change and it’s important to work with them. also still have a life and will need to take I’m going to make sure I enjoy it, bring To get things done, you’ll need to build some downtime. my personality to it, make the most of the your credibility. Expect the unexpected. You’re on call experience and do my best. No two councillors’ experiences will be the same, but I hope that my thoughts above This is an edited version of a blog published previously by Cllr Prior on his will help anyone brave enough to enter the LinkedIn page, see www.linkedin.com/pulse/year-county-councillor-surviving- democratic arena fashion a way through the thriving-elected-life-neil-prior/ rst year of elected life.
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp30 Cllr.indd 30 14/09/2018 16:17 local by-elections Bury, East LAB HELD elections 37.8% over Con Turnout 26%
Carlisle, Denton Holme LAB HELD 37.9% over Con Turnout 22.1%
Cornwall, Bude LIB DEM HELD Electoral volatility 28.2% over Ind Turnout 29.9%
Cumbria, Denton Holme The party conference season LAB HELD o ers an opportunity for all 31.5% over Con Turnout 22.1% the political parties to assess their current standing among East Hertfordshire, Watton-at-Stone the electorate. Professors Colin Rallings and LIB DEM GAIN FROM CON The opinion polls continue Michael Thrasher are Associate Members, Nu eld College, Oxford to suggest there is little to 37% over Con Turnout 39.3% choose between Labour and Knowsley, Halewood South the Conservatives, as has broadly been the case ever since last year’s General Election. Neath Port Talbot’s Gwyn ward, it su ered a LAB HELD Everybody else is far behind, though the calamity – slumping from 56 per cent of the 11.9% over Ind Turnout 24.2% Liberal Democrats do occasionally manage to vote to just 13 per cent to be swept aside by nudge into double gures. an Independent candidate. The Conservatives Neath Port Talbot, Gwyn A closer reading of the polls, though, attracted just four votes in the same ward. IND GAIN FROM LAB would seem to indicate that support for On the other hand, Labour nearly doubled 42% over Plaid Cymru Turnout 51% one and all is fragile. That picture is amply its vote share and ran the Conservatives close con rmed in the pattern of local by-elections. in the Newton Regis and Warton ward of North North Warwickshire, Newton Regis It is not that there has been an unusual Warwickshire – a constituency where the and Warton number of gains and losses (21 seats have Conservatives posted one of their best results CON HELD changed hands in the 71 contests since May in the country at last year’s General Election. 4.4% over Lab Turnout 32% As the governing party, the Conservatives themselves would expect reverses. They North Yorkshire, Knaresborough have lost a net ve seats since May, but LIB DEM GAIN FROM CON “There have been often still manage to sweep up the last some tidal shifts in vestiges of UKIP support in wards previously 19.8% over Con Turnout 30.3% contested in 2015. Their victory in Thanet in Rushcli e, Gotham the votes attracted by July, for example, saw their vote share more than double. CON HELD each party” With both major parties riven by internal 9.1% over Lab Turnout 44.3% disputes, and with the UK set to leave the 2018), rather there have been some tidal shifts EU on whatever terms scarcely a month Sevenoaks, Farningham, Horton Kirby in the votes attracted by each party. before next May’s local elections, it is likely and South Darenth In the last few weeks alone, the Liberal that electoral volatility will continue to be CON HELD Democrat vote share was down by 30 commonplace, and that unforeseen issues or 29% over Lib Dem Turnout 25.6% percentage points in Newquay, Cornwall, but events have the potential to impact rapidly on the party gained the Watton-at-Stone ward in voters’ opinions and behaviour. It is no time to Tameside, Ashton Waterloo East Hertfordshire polling fully two-thirds of try to be a soothsayer. LAB HELD the vote from a standing start. 26% over Green Turnout 19.5% In Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, the For all the latest by-election results party polled 400 more votes than in 2017 on in full, including a spreadsheet Wirral, Bromborough a much lower turnout, to easily depose the of voting statistics, please visit LAB HELD Conservatives. www.local.gov.uk/ rst 18.9% over Con Turnout 23% Labour, too, has had its ups and downs. In
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp31-32 elections.indd 31 14/09/2018 13:07 Sport and Physical Activity Conference 2018 Wednesday 5 December 2018 The Local Government Association is organising the premier sport and physical activity conference for local authorities and their partners. Keynote speakers will talk about the latest challenges, innovations and solutions within the sport and physical activity sector. Session topics include: sport and physical activity post Brexit, tackling inactivity and engaging new audiences through digital solutions to name but a few, as well as workshops and networking opportunities with like-minded individuals.
To book your place visit www.local.gov.uk/events
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LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2-4 July 2019 Bournemouth International Centre
Sponsorship opportunities available please contact: [email protected]
@LGAComms | #LGAconf19 To book your place visit www.local.gov.uk/conference The national voice of local government
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LGA FIRST 628 Oct18 pp31-32 elections.indd 32 14/09/2018 13:07