Blog: Friday 2nd August - Aneeka Muneer, LLG President

The King’s Speech and newly elected government is bringing a lot of change and once again, the local government sector prepares to adapt in an already financially strained environment. We know that changes to planning are already underway, and that devolution is going to be a big theme for the sector. Indeed, councils are being asked to get ready with responses by September for Angela Rayners ‘devolution revolution’. All eyes will be on the Bill once it lands.

I cannot mention the new government without noting the encouraging makeup of our new parliament. For the first time in parliamentary history, the proportion of women elected is more than 40%. We now have 50 women from an ethnic minority background and 40 men. The Cabinet sees a record 11 women appointed to senior positions, and we have many more MPs from comprehensive school backgrounds. It’s the most diverse parliament to ever represent the people.

It was interesting to read the comments of Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future who noted that “In the space of 40 years we have gone from zero to nearly 1 in 7 MPs being from an ethnic minority background”. But he also noted that “Better representation doesn’t guarantee better policies on inclusion”. However, what he did say was that when debates take place “ethnic minority MPs will be there to bring their lived experience to the debate”, and it’s that lived experience which will be vital to the future of service provision. 

In other news, I had the pleasure of speaking with the LGSCO on the collective aim of LLG within local government to establish public trust, good governance and ensuring accountability. A recent LGSCO Report highlighted concerns that the proportion of complaints in particular relating to Adult Social Care Services and SEND are increasing- and whilst the correlation to financial resourcing must surely be applicable, we are waiting to hear from the new government on how it intends to address the financial crisis and what measures it might introduce within processes to better safeguard and provide for vulnerable groups.

The Housing Ombudsman recently reported a sharp increase in failure by social landlords to meet the requirements within the Complaint Handling Code. The Code is designed to provide a pragmatic approach to addressing concerns at an early stage and build public trust. Ultimately, it’s about giving a voice to those we serve and affording an opportunity to be listened to. 

Resources it seems are at the heart - the root cause as it were. But the blame cannot solely lay with that. Governance is as important - get that wrong and failure becomes the only pathway.

Best wishes,

Aneeka Muneer, LLG President