Insights from the LGA Labour Group Panel
The Local Government Association (LGA) conference brings together local government leaders and experts to discuss key issues affecting councils and the broader public sector. This year’s event, taking place from the 22nd October -25th October, comes at a crucial moment for local councils facing unprecedented pressures, including rising costs and increased demand for services.
Joana Killian, the newly appointed CEO of the LGA, emphasised the essential role of councils in ensuring the well-being of their communities and highlighted the conference as a platform for discussing the future, particularly in partnership with the Labour government.
The first panel discussion led by six prominent leaders from various councils focused on the role local government will play in delivering the Labour government’s five missions. These missions – ensuring economic growth, building a resilient NHS, promoting clean energy, fostering opportunities for all, and creating safer streets – require local authorities to work closely with national leadership to achieve transformational change across the country.
Aligning Local Government with National Ambitions
Bella Sankey, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, tressed the importance of aligning local government efforts with the Labour government’s five missions. She shared how her council, previously without overall control for two decades, has made significant strides towards breaking down barriers to opportunity. One innovative step has been the introduction of a new criterion for secondary school admissions, giving priority to children on free school meals. This is intended to foster a more equitable education system and tackle entrenched disparities.
Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, underscored the indispensable role local government plays in delivering Labour’s missions, particularly around clean energy, growth, and safer streets. Brown provided examples from Oxford, including the decarbonisation of leisure centres and the establishment of an all-electric bus fleet. She hailed these initiatives as vital in achieving Net Zero goals and improving public health by reducing pollution.
In terms of growth, she highlighted the significance of local councils in fostering relationships with businesses. She cited Stevenage’s work in life sciences as an example of how local plans can drive economic regeneration. In the realm of safer streets, Brown stressed the importance of local authorities working with community crime partnerships to create safer and more inclusive environments.
Housing and Economic Growth
Peter Mason, leader of Ealing Council, pointed out that growth is the government’s top mission, and local government must be at the forefront of delivering this ambition. His council has focused on securing affordable homes and creating well-paid jobs, setting ambitious targets of 4,000 genuinely affordable homes and 10,000 new jobs. However, he acknowledged the challenges of resourcing and capacity, especially with rising homelessness and the need for better planning regulations to speed up housing development.
Peter also discussed the importance of working with pension funds and other investment mechanisms to finance large-scale housing projects. He mentioned Ealing’s involvement in a London-wide housing fund, which demonstrates how local governments can pool resources to address national housing needs.
Arooj Shah from Oldham Council talked about the importance of resetting the relationship with residents to ensure they feel connected to the changes happening in their communities. She shared how her council has revitalised the local town centre by converting an old shopping centre into office space, which has boosted the local economy. Additionally, Oldham’s Green New Deal strategy, including using old mines to heat homes, exemplifies how local councils can innovate to address both economic and environmental challenges.
Challenges in Delivering Housing and Clean Energy
Caroline Woodley, Executive Mayor of Hackney, highlighted the difficulties councils face in maintaining housing stock and delivering on clean energy initiatives. While Hackney is leading in initiatives like solar panel installations and district heat networks, the borough is simultaneously grappling with significant issues in housing quality, including damp and disrepair. Woodley stressed the need for more investment in local infrastructure and highlighted the importance of balancing optimism with a realistic view of the challenges facing councils.
She proposed three key solutions: lifting the cap on community energy investments, expediting the change of use in educational estates, and prioritising community safety funding.
Final Thought
The LGA Labour Group panel showcased the pivotal role that local government plays in delivering the Labour government’s five missions. From decarbonising energy systems to addressing the housing crisis, councils are at the forefront of driving change across the country.
However, panellists also made clear that national government support is crucial to overcoming the systemic financial and capacity challenges that many councils face. With a renewed focus on collaboration between local and national government, the panellists expressed optimism about the potential for long-term, sustainable growth that benefits all communities.
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