Local Government Association

In 1997, local government came together and created the Local Government Association to be its voice in the national arena.

Based in Westminster, close to the Houses of Parliament and Whitehall, the LGA is a voluntary lobbying organisation, acting as the voice of the local government sector, and an authoritative and effective advocate on its behalf.

In fulfilling this role we target our efforts on the issues that matter most to councils, working with and on behalf of our membership to deliver our shared vision of an independent and confident local government sector, where local priorities drive public service improvement in every city, town and village and every councillor acts as a champion for their ward and for the people they represent

We work as part of the wider LGA Group to assist our members to:

* shape public debate;

* influence policy and practice in public services;

* support innovation and excellence that enables in councils and their partnerships to meet future challenges;

* help councillors exercise their democratic accountability and leadership effectively;

* ensure that the sector attracts, retains and develops staff with the skills it needs.

The 423 authorities who make up the Local Government Association cover every part of England and Wales. Together they represent over 50 million people and spend around £113 billion a year on local services. They include county councils, metropolitan district councils, English unitary authorities, London boroughs, shire district councils and Welsh unitary authorities, along with fire authorities, police authorities, national park authorities and passenger transport authorities. The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) is a constituent part of the LGA, but retains full autonomy in dealing with Welsh affairs.

Our priorities for 2009-2010 are:

Recession – the economic downturn, and the role of councils in supporting their communities through, and leading them out of recession sets the context for our campaigning and lobbying activity across every policy area. Our work on safer communities will help tackle the rise in crime and antisocial behaviour already evident as a result of the downturn.

Improvement and the reputation of local government – as councils prepare for the new CAA, our focus will be on supporting them, and their partners, to deliver improvements for local people. The LGA media team will continue to secure maximum positive coverage for local government in the national media and to work with councils to rebut negative stories. Our support to councils on high profile issues like children’s and adults’ safeguarding, the economy, and responding to emergencies, will focus on helping councils build their reputation locally and nationally.

Efficiency and value for money – the LGA has frozen or reduced its membership subscriptions in 2009/10 as part of its continued drive to improve value for money to member councils. We will continue to seek to secure savings across the year, whilst at the same time lobbying at every opportunity to safeguard or secure additional government funding that reflects the cost of delivering existing or new services areas.