The following joint statement has been issued by the Local
Government Association, Association of Directors of Education,
Economy, Planning and Transport, Association of Directors of
Public Health, Association of Directors of Children’s Services
and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services:
“The sense of collective spirit throughout Covid-19 has been
extraordinary. As we learn to live with Covid-19 and turn our
attention to recovery, the importance of the communities and
places in which we live has never been clearer.
“But the pandemic has also exposed and heightened the disparities
in our society. These need to be urgently addressed as part of
our recovery. We want to work with government to develop and
deliver a holistic approach addressing long term inequalities,
embedding prevention, tackling climate change, regenerating the
economy and ultimately creating more resilient, safer and
healthier places.
“The pandemic has reinforced our shared conviction that local
councils, working with their communities, partners and
businesses, are best placed to lead, manage and shape their
places, delivering sustainable change. Social care for children
and adults, schools and other educational settings, a good job,
childcare, libraries, green spaces, public transport and high
streets all define ‘place’ for the people who live, study and
work there, and they are passionate about making them better.
“Investing in local places is in the national interest and one of
the most powerful tools of the levelling up agenda. We call on
the Government to ensure that the Spending Review provides both
long term certainty and greater levels of funding for local
councils.”
