County Councils Network

️"Our offer to the new government is clear: empower and resource us, and we can help deliver a bright future for county areas and their communities." Watch as Tim Oliver OBE sets out our councils offer to the new government and their key asks of new ministers. Read our response to the election: https://lnkd.in/e3jtN2WS

"We are not simply making blank cheque arguments: reform and a real-terms uplift in funding will not only keep the show on the road for vital services, but allow us to transform and improve them." With the October Budget on the horizon, recap on the finance proposals in our Manifesto for Counties: https://lnkd.in/eaHksXbH  

"Local government is part of the fabric of this country, and our Manifesto for Counties shows how empowered councils can tackle the country's biggest challenges head-on."   As Westminster returns this week, recap on the key proposals in our Manifesto for Counties: https://lnkd.in/ezZpuhVV

We are pleased that the government has today announced an extension to the Household Support Fund, which will enable CCN members to better support residents through winter. We had raised concerns last month that the fund was set to run out in September, alongside the Local Government Association. Our County Spotlight report shows how county authorities have used the fund over the last few years: https://lnkd.in/e4Gu3gcw

We have raised concerns alongside the Local Government Association in today's The i paper that the Household Support Fund is due to expire at the end of next month - right before the winter period. ➡️ Recap on our 2022 County Spotlight which showcased how our member councils were using the fund to support their communities through the cost of living crisis here: https://lnkd.in/eBsBKvSt ⤵️ Read today's story in The i below:

“Schools need more specialist resources in the classroom to enable SEND pupils to thrive in a mainstream setting.” Listen as Kate Foale talks BBC Norfolk through the recommendations from our report with the Local Government Association on what reforms are needed to the ‘broken’ SEND system. Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/eWgGNXW8

Last month, we released a major new report with the Local Government Association that revealed spiralling costs have not led to better outcomes for SEND pupils. The system is not working for anyone and this report sets out out a clear pathway to reform services: https://lnkd.in/eENiHUqu

We've joined with the District Councils' Network and the Local Government Association in calling for government action on housing. Latest figures show that CCN's unitary members are housing an increasing amount of people in temporary accommodation compared to last year:

Read James Maker in the Local Government Chronicle reflecting on last month's announcement that the government was no longer proceeding with the cap on care and extended means-test - and what adult social care reforms ministers should now prioritise this Parliament: https://lnkd.in/dywMzvv3

Today’s The Times covers our report on SEND with Local Government Association, which concludes that the system is broken. Councils recognise the system is not working for young people and parents and have called on the government to urgently set out reforms: