April 2009

Press releases, by month

• LGA response to road maintenance survey

  Cllr David sparks responds to a report on potholes

  Added on: 30 April 2009

• Councils vigilant on swine flu

  Commenting on the reports that the World Health Organisation has raised its alert over the outbreak of swine flu, LGA Chairman Margaret Eaton said: “Councils are keeping a close watch on reports of swine flu cases. They have well-developed contingency plans to cope with an outbreak."

  Added on: 28 April 2009

• Council magazines not a threat to the local media

  Claims that council magazines have been threatening the future of local newspapers are unfounded, according to new research published today.

  Added on: 27 April 2009

• Spending squeeze risks cuts in services

  The squeeze on public spending from 2011 looks certain to lead to shortfalls in town hall coffers, council leaders warn today.

  Added on: 27 April 2009

• Pledges on employment for young people ‘encouraging'

  In response to Budget proposals for funding to support councils in creating jobs for young people, Cllr Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "The fund for local job creation will help to generate jobs, get local economies moving and help to prevent another 'lost generation' of young unemployed.

  Added on: 23 April 2009

• Town halls respond to unemployment figures

  Councils pledge to help people who have been made redundant

  Added on: 23 April 2009

• Response from council leaders on budget

  In response to the budget, Cllr Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the Local Government Association said: "The Government has recognised what councils have been calling for for months, which is that local authorities are key to the creation of jobs in the public and private sectors.

  Added on: 23 April 2009

• Town halls will continue to provide ever better value for money

  LGA response to publication of Treasury report identifying £15bn of efficiency savings from the public sector

  Added on: 22 April 2009

• Councils respond to Laming review on child protection

  Council leaders have today responded to the recommendations put forward by Lord Laming to protect vulnerable children

  Added on: 21 April 2009

• Changes to CAA will involve councillors more fully

  Councillors and experts from neighbouring councils will play a more significant role in the new Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA), following lobbying from the LGA.

  Added on: 22 April 2009

• Lion’s share of council cash back from Iceland will be a relief to taxpayers

  In response to reports that councils have been given indications that they could get most of their money back from the failed Icelandic banks, Cllr Margaret Eaton, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "This first step in getting council money back from the Icelandic banks will be a relief to taxpayers.

  Added on: 20 April 2009

• Households at risk from flooding if new laws are left to wait, warn councils

  Households across the country will be left at risk from flooding if action to protect homes isn’t made a priority, council leaders will warn today. A survey of local flood risk management has revealed that:

  Added on: 22 April 2009

• Smart spending needed to create the greatest number of jobs

  LGA sets out proposals to generate jobs ahead of the budget

  Added on: 17 April 2009

• Surveillance powers must be used for serious criminals

  All public bodies that use surveillance powers must re-build public confidence by demonstrating this is done to help bring serious criminals to justice, council leaders said today.

  Added on: 17 April 2009

• Government backs councils' plans to tackle ghost towns

  Cllr Margaret Eaton, LGA Chairman responds to the announcement by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears backing the LGA’s call for councils to have more powers to prevent clone towns from becoming ghost towns.

  Added on: 14 April 2009

• Town halls cushion impact of care home closures

  The recession is being blamed for the closure of independently run care homes in nearly 1 in 7 local authority areas, council leaders have warned.

  Added on: 16 April 2009

• Council leaders make formal pay offer for 2009/10

  The Local Government Employers have today presented their formal response to the union pay claim which was submitted to council bosses recently. Council leaders have made an offer of a 0.5% pay rise for the next financial year

  Added on: 6 April 2009

• EU considers proposals which could force more bin collections on householders

  The EU is considering proposals which could force thousands of extra bin collections on British householders, council leaders will warn today.

  Added on: 6 April 2009

• Eco town approach 'bypassing local democracy'`

  Council leaders have today called on the government to reconsider proposed eco town developments where there is strong local authority opposition

  Added on: 6 April 2009

• Council jobs and services at risk over bus scheme shortfall

  Council services and jobs could be at risk because of a shortfall of up to £30million in funding for the national free bus pass scheme, new figures published today have revealed

  Added on: 6 April 2009

• LGA response to Select Committee report on Iceland

  LGA repsonds to report about the collpase of the failed Icelandic banks

  Added on: 4 April 2009