Ellie Ames 08 November 2023

Councils respond to King’s Speech

Councils respond to King’s Speech image
Image: Solid photos / Shutterstock.com

The Local Government Association (LGA) has responded to proposed legislation announced yesterday in the King’s Speech.

Among the announcements was a Tobacco and Vapes Bill to restrict the sale and marketing of e-cigarettes to children and prevent anyone currently aged fourteen or younger from ever legally buying cigarettes.

The chairman of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, David Fothergill, said it was ‘progressive piece of legislation that would undoubtedly impact on smoking prevalence’.

An Automated Vehicles Bill includes a requirement for local authorities to send legal orders they make, including setting speed limits and closing roads, to a central publication platform.

The Government said the data would be used to create a digital map of the road network to support the safe operation of self-driving vehicles.

LGA housing and transport spokesperson Darren Rodwell said councils were ‘already leading the way’ in digitalising traffic regulation orders.

He added: ‘It is important these changes end a long overdue, outdated and expensive requirement for these orders, and other council notices, to be published in local newspapers.’

The Renters (Reform) Bill will be carried into next year. It now includes a digital ‘private rented property portal’ to bring together information and enable councils to ‘target enforcement where it is needed against a minority of unscrupulous landlords’.

Cllr Rodwell said the Bill would help improve standards and increase councils' ability to hold landlords to account, but raised concerns about the costs of new duties.

He also said the Government should consider publishing the evidence base for delaying the ban on section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.

The Government confirmed it would introduce legislation requiring certain premises to consider the terrorist risk and improve security in a Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill.

However, it said there would be a consultation to ‘ensure the Bill’s measures strike the right balance between public protection and avoiding undue burdens’.

The chair of the LGA’s safer and stronger communities board, Heather Kidd, welcomed the consultation and the Government’s decision to act on ‘concerns around ensuring the Bill is proportional’.

A Football Governance Bill will seek to ‘safeguard the future of football clubs for the benefit of communities and fans.’

The chair of the LGA’s culture, tourism and sport board, Liz Green, said many councils were already working with football clubs to protect their heritage and support people to get active, but ‘long-term sustainable funding’ was needed to support sport facilities.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of People

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. County hall
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Director of Strategy and Transformation

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. Preston, Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Care and Support Assistant -Longlands

West Northamptonshire Council
13.52ph
About the role We are looking for a dedicated Care and Support Worker to join our team at Longlands Care Home in Daventry. In this rewarding role, you will provide compassionate, person-centred care to older people and those living with dementia, includin Daventry
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Bolton Council
Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Bolton Council

Social Worker - Huddersfield Royal Infirmary

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£38,220 - £40,777
Looking to appoint as a Level 2 or Level 3 Social Worker. Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Linkedin Banner