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We'd like to say congratulations and welcome to all new and re-elected councillors! ➡️Our councillor guide which explains what CCN does, profiles our recent successes and upcoming work: countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/local-election… Tim Oliver explains how we will support you over the next 4 years⬇️

Following last week's local elections, our political proportionality has now been updated.🔽 We be working closely to support all councillors and new administrations as they navigate these first few weeks in office. countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/new-political-…

Are you a newly-elected or returning councillor after the local elections? Our councillor guide is an introduction to the County Councils Network - explaining what we do, our recent successes, and how we'll be supporting your council. Read it here ⬇️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/local-election…

↗️ This year the government has pledged to turbocharge AI across the public sector. CCN's County Spotlight shows that councils are embracing AI and new tech to deliver more efficient services, but further policy focus and investment will be needed ⤵️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/county-spotlig…

Our report on children's services with IMPOWER Consulting revealed the number of local authority recruited foster carers has declined yearly since 2019. This #FosterCareFortnight we continue to argue for a national and local reset into recruitment ⤵️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/thousands-of-y…

CCN's Peter French was delighted to participate in several meetings of the Strategic Planning Group, founded by Prior + Partners and chaired by Catriona Riddell. The group informed recommendations that are included in new report on strategic planning. ⤵️ priorandpartners.com/spg-recommenda…

🚨 As we head into next week's Spending Review, we are warning that the Chancellor's decisions could make or break the budgets of county and unitary councils. Our new analysis shows that counties face a £2.2bn funding black hole next year. ⤵️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/spending-revie…

“With so much uncertainty as to what the Chancellor will do, it’s no wonder six in ten counties aren’t confident of setting a balanced budget next year." Read coverage of our financial analysis in LGC as our members face a £2.2bn funding shortfall: lgcplus.com/finance/ccn-wa…

With the Spending Review imminent, we warn of the implications for local government if there is no increase in funds to the sector from the Chancellor - or worse, a real-terms cut - in The MJ Our warnings are echoed by Solace and the Institute for Fiscal Studies ⬇️ themj.co.uk/councils-water…

The National Audit Office’s new report highlights challenges with the developer contributions system. 📻 Listen to our housing spokesperson Cllr Richard Clewer react to that report and describe the challenges councils face in securing affordable housing to Vanessa Baffoe on LBC News ⬇️

Ahead of the Spending Review, our new analysis in today’s The Guardian shows that county areas have received half the amount of money to revitalise buses compared to urban areas. With rural services down a fifth, we join Campaign for Better Transport in arguing for an increase in funds. ⬇️

Our new research finds that a fifth of bus services in rural and county areas have vanished since 2019 yet counties received 47% less in flagship bus funds compared to urban areas. We and Campaign for Better Transport call for additional funds in the Spending Review ⬇️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/one-in-five-ru…

“We know that reform is coming, but considering the growing SEND crisis, government can ill-afford to get this wrong." The i Paper covers the LGANews and Isos Partnership's report which reinforces the need for SEND reform, including our response. ⬇️ inews.co.uk/news/send-watc…

We are just one day away from the Spending Review. Our research shows that county and unitary councils facing a £2.2bn funding black hole next year and we warn that the Chancellor's decisions tomorrow could 'make or break' county authority budgets ⬇️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/spending-revie…

We're hearing from Royal Town Planning Institute, County Councils Network, @NatFedNews, British Property Federation, @CLATweets, @TheLPDF and Savills as part of our inquiry into Land Value Capture. Watch live ⬇️

The Spending Review included an increase in resource for councils, but it falls short of filling the estimated £2.2bn black hole faced by county authorities. These challenges could now be exacerbated by upcoming funding reforms. Read our response ⬇️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/spending-revie…

We were delighted to have Jim McMahon MP join us to discuss the Spending Review, devolution, the Fair Funding Review - and much more - at our CCN Council meeting. It was great to see so many familiar and new faces from county and unitary councils across the country today!

🚨 With demand in special educational needs continuing to increase, Tim Oliver tells Financial Times that councils need 'urgent clarity' on the future of SEN deficits, with over £2.7bn scheduled to be placed on county and unitary councils budget books next year. ⤵️ ft.com/content/a79b6d…