“Right to Buy announcement is a fire-sale of community assets”
Cllr Tony Newman, Lead Housing spokesman for the LGA Labour Group responds to the Government’s announcement today on the Right to Buy, which will significantly increase the discounts for two million social tenants in England.
Local Labour Spring Conference 2012
This year’s Local Labour Spring Conference 2012 will be better than ever. The conference will feature keynote speech from Shadow Communities Secretary Hilary Benn MP and VIP speakers tbc
Local Government Report to Labour Party Conference
Cllr David Sparks, Leader of the Local Government Labour Group, gave the Local Government Report to Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.
LGA Labour Group Annual Report and Review 2010-11
The LGA Labour Group has published its Annual Report and Review 2010-11. This includes contributions from the Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband MP, Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary Caroline Flint MP, LGA Labour Group Leader Cllr David Sparks, and reports of some of Labour’s local election success stories.
Where is the Chancellor’s ambition for our communities?
Responding to today’s Budget, Cllr David Sparks, Labour’s Leader in Local Government, said: “The Budget offers slim pickings to the communities bearing the brunt of the Government’s reckless economic decisions. Not only is the Chancellor’s cuts mission speeding ahead too far and too fast, but the pain he is causing isn’t even working. Growth is down this year and the next, so the foundations of economic recovery have been shaken to the core.
The devil will be in the detail of business rates reform
Responding to Secretary of State Eric Pickles’ Written Ministerial Statement outlining the terms of reference for the local government resource review, Cllr David Sparks, Leader of Labour Local Government, said: “There should be no localisation of business rates without equalisation to ensure all councils have resources to meet the needs of their communities. The devil will be in the detail of these reforms.
Labour Leaders write a letter to Lib Dem councillors
Responding to the Liberal Democrats’ 10 February letter to The Times, 130 leading Labour local government figures wrote a letter that was published the following day.
Local decision: a fairer future for social housing - LGA Labour Group response
The LGA Labour Group has submitted its own response to the Government’s consultation Local decision: a fairer future for social housing.
LGA Labour Group responds to local authority finance settlement
Cllr David Sparks, Leader of Labour Local Government responds to the Local Government Finance Settlement.
“Eric Pickles gives with one hand and takes away with another”
Responding to the publication of the Localism and Decentralisation Bill today, Cllr David Sparks, Leader of Labour Local Government, said: “The repeated delays and last minute haggling between Ministers over the content of this unwieldy 208 clause Bill do not fill me with confidence that the proposals it contains have been very well thought through.
"Government sets our communities on a collision course with each other"
The Department for Communities & Local Government has announced it is seeking to impose new planning arrangements, with a raft of new structures imposed upon councils, including Neighbourhood Plans which would operate at a level below the local authority.
Today’s cuts are an attack on our communities”
Cllr David Sparks, Leader of Labour Local Government, responds to today's Spending Review announcement.
Leader of the LGA Labour Group welcomes Caroline Flint to the role of Shadow Secretary for Communities and Local Government
Responding to the announcement of the appointment of Caroline Flint as new Shadow Secretary for Communities and Local Government and the new Shadow CLG ministerial team, Cllr David Sparks, Leader of Labour in Local Government, said: “I am delighted to welcome Caroline Flint to the role of Shadow Secretary for Communities and Local Government...."
Co-operative Communities: Creating a shared stake in our society for everyone
The LGA Labour Group, in partnership with Local Government Leadership, published Co-operative Communities: Creating a shared stake in our society for everyone at Labour Party Conference 2010. The report explores how Labour can rethink the relationship between the citizen and the state so that we can hand more power and control to communities and individuals.
Labour Local Government at Annual Conference 2010
The LGA Labour Group held a full programme of fringe events at this year’s Party Conference in Manchester, in association with Local Government Leadership.
Rt Hon John Denham MP, Speech to LG Group Annual Conference
On Thursday 8 July 2010 Rt Hon John Denham MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, gave a speech to the LG Group Annual Conference in Bournemouth.
Opposition Day Debate: Local Government Financing
An Opposition Day Debate was held on 29 June on Local Government Financing - the £1.165bn of cuts to local services part of the £6bn cuts package.
Today’s Budget may be an appetising starter – but just wait for the main course
Responding to today’s Budget, Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour’s Leader in Local Government, said: “The Chancellor stated today that there would be nothing hidden in the small print of his Budget. He has announced a few headline measures that appear to meet his claims of fairness, but upon closer inspection it is clear that the measures are an attack on the poorest by stealth.
Free swimming takes a dive
Labour local government today condemned the Tory-Lib Dem Government’s decision to end free swimming in public pools for under 16s and over 60s from 1st July.
Cuts to local government make a mockery of Cameron’s claim that "we’re all in this together"
The Tory Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has today announced a raft of cuts to local government totalling £1.165bn. The cuts have been made from funding streams within the Area Based Grant, which is targeted at councils in areas with high levels of deprivation, not from the councils’ formula grant.
What price localism
With just over three weeks in office, the ConDem Coalition has already called into question its proclaimed belief in localism in three different policy areas, claims Sir Jeremy Beecham Leader of the LGA Labour Group.
‘LGA Labour Group warns against complacency in the fight against the BNP’
The successes against the BNP in Barking and Stoke in the General Election have created a sense that the tide is turning against the BNP. But these high-profile victories hide a murkier picture in which the BNP actually grew in popularity. Today Labour councillors warn that the biggest threat now in the fight against the BNP is complacency.
“Queen’s Speech marginalises councils”
Responding to today’s Queen’s Speech, Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour’s Leader in Local Government, said, “Proposals in the Queen’s Speech on education and referendums on council tax increases confirm fears that under the guise of localism the ConDem Coalition is bent on marginalizing councils and councillors.”
“Osborne’s cuts take us back to the future”
Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour’s leader in local government, denounced the cuts on local council budgets announced today by the Chancellor George Osborne. The Tory-Lib Dem Coalition’s £6.25bn cuts package includes measures to reduce grants to local authorities by £1.165bn in the financial year 2010-11.
The Coalition deal is a serious threat to local government
Cameron and Clegg have today outlined the full details behind the Coalition deal. Responding to the announcement, Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour’s Leader in Local Government, said, “Behind warm words about local government in The Coalition's programme lie serious threats to its role.
Cameron and Clegg By-Pass Local Government
Responding to Cameron-Clegg’s Big Society speech today, Sir Jeremy Beecham, Leader of the LGA Labour Group said “The Tory-Lib Dem coalition has effectively by-passed local government in today's Big Society Launch.
Local Labour’s election success shows our strength in communities across the country
In the context of ambiguous national election results, Labour’s performance locally has been a tremendous success, and demonstrates our strength in communities across the country.
Calling all Labour councillors
Would you like to become involved with the LGA Labour group? If so, the group is inviting self-nominations for various Labour positions on the LGA's boards, panels and commissions for 2010/2011.
115 Labour council leaders announce radical new plans to protect frontline services ahead of the elections
Today 115 Labour council leaders across England and Wales have announced they will become Co-operative Councils, by signing a radical charter to protect frontline services
Co-operative Councils Mission Statement from Local Labour
In the wake of the financial crisis, and as we face what is likely to be the toughest public spending round for councils in recent memory – we believe that there has never been a time in which co-operative values and principles have been more important
Sir Jeremy Beecham challenges LGA Conservatives on Cameron’s proposals to identify individual local government pay packages
David Cameron has announced a raft of requirements for local councils to follow, including the publication of all individual items of public expenditure over £500, publish every procurement contract they sign and publish online the details of all local government staff pay packages over a threshold of around £60,000.
Cllr David Sparks has been elected as the new Leader Elect of the LGA Labour Group.
Sir Jeremy Beecham, Labour’s Leader in Local Government, said: "I am delighted to welcome Councillor David Sparks as Leader Elect of the LGA Labour Group.
Labour Government’s action ensures no lost generations from this recession
The LGA has announced that councils are using the Government’s Future Jobs Fund to help create up to 40,000 jobs, either directly or with other local employers.
Sir Jeremy Beecham responds to Daily Express attack on recipients of welfare benefits
Sir Jeremy Beecham, Leader of the Labour Group at the Local Government Association, responds to article in the Daily Express
LGA Labour Group leadership election
Sir Jeremy Beecham has today announced his intention to stand down as leader of the Labour Group, effective July 2010.
Sir Jeremy Beecham calls for stronger partnership between councils and third sector
Speaking at the 10th Annual Compact meeting, LGA Vice Chairman Sir Jeremy Beecham welcomed the refreshed National Compact between the Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS).
LGA Labour Group – Leadership election
Nominations for the leadership have opened today, Monday 23 November 2009.
Jeremy Beecham to stand down in July 2010
Sir Jeremy has today announced that he will not be seeking re-election as Leader of the LGA Labour Group, or as Vice Chairman of the Association, at its next annual meeting in July 2010.
LGA Conference - ward budgets session
Read the write up of our session on ward budgets, addressed by local government minister, Rosie Winterton MP. 7 July 09
Putting fairness first
Read the local Labour manifesto for a new term.
Local Tories must stand up to Cameron on policy
Following the Tory spring conference, Sir Jeremy Beecham calls on Tory councillors to speak out. 27 April 2009
Today's Labour Budget for jobs puts the Tories to shame
The LGA Labour Group responds to the Chancellor's announcement on jobs in the 2009 Budget. 22 April 2009
Labour must take unprecedented action in challenging times
Harriet Harman speaks to the LGA Labour Group spring conference. 18 April 2009
New opportunities: fair chances for the future
The LGA Labour Group response to the white paper on tackling socio-economic disadvantage. 20 March 2009
Labour acts swiftly to provide real help to council tenants
Following intervention from the LGA Labour Group, council rents will be lower than planned this year. 6 March 2009
Centralising truth of Tory localism
Sir Jeremy Beecham writes for the Guardian on the Tories' green paper on localism. 19 February 2009
Cameron rejects Thatcher's legacy, but gives false hope to communities
Sir Jeremy Beecham responds to the Tory green paper on local government. 17 February 2009.
‘Labour takes the initiative on housing’
Housing Minister John Healey has today announced a far reaching new deal to give councils the freedom to fund and run their council homes, without central Government subsidy.
Cllr David Sparks, Speech to Labour Party Annual Conference
Labour Group Leader David Sparks addressed the Labour Party Annual Conference on 30th September, in a speech in which he declared: “The fightback really does start with us. It starts in our communities, with our councillors – organising, growing in numbers and leading the way as community leaders and campaigners.”