News

The government has confirmed local (parish and town) councils are not included in their latest financial support package for local government, with district and unitary councils still expected to help them with funding.

The County Councils Network (CCN) has published a report on the financial impact of COVID-19 on principal authorities.

Locality has published a major report on the response of community organisations to the COVID-19 crisis.

Yesterday a number of national bodies with interests in play NALC (National Association of Local Councils), SLCC (the Society of Local Council Clerks), The Play Safety Forum (PSF), Association of Play Industries (API) & The Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII) met with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to discuss the current government guidance. All involved were delighted by the enthusiasm shown for the provision of play, with it having huge mental and physical benefits to young people particularly at a time when their abilities to enjoy play outside of their homes have been curtailed during the current crisis.

The new funding package for local government must be precisely that, a plan for all tiers of local government, which includes helping local (parish and town) councils impacted through lost income such as car parks, museums, and community and cultural assets.

The chairman of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), Cllr Sue Baxter, has made strong representations directly to a local government minister, Simon Clarke MP, on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on local (parish and town) council finances, urging him to introduce a financial support package.