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Telephone boxes are being used to “smuggle” advertising on to high streets across the country, with some areas experiencing an increase in applications of more than 900 per cent in two years.

“The pandemic has taken its toll on children and young people, including their education and social routines, but this disruption has been worse for those with special educational needs and disabilities"

"It is the job of councils to plan the future shape of our towns and cities and we hope this guide will serve as a useful primer to get local politicians and senior officers thinking about the impact on their area.”

The LGA is calling on the Department for Transport to end emergency measures forcing councils to fund concessionary bus fares at pre-COVID19 travel levels, amid concern about its sustainability and the impact it is having on council budgets being stretched by the pandemic.

Latest fly-tipping statistics for England 2019/20 show that local authorities were forced to clear up just under 1 million (976,000) fly-tipping incidents, from tarmac and asbestos, to tyres and even a boat.

Vital locally-led projects for boosting business, supporting local communities and regenerating high streets are at risk due to government delays in approving councils’ investment plans.

“The Skills and Post-16 Education Bill should be used as an opportunity to tackle our fragmented employment and skills system, with a greater role for councils and employers to help create jobs and training opportunities in their local communities."

"It is vital that even more of this vital protective equipment is available to those who need it, including our valuable social care staff and others providing essential local services."

“Councils are playing a vital role in the vaccination programme that has now seen over 13 million people receive their first COVID-19 vaccine."

“Local knowledge and expertise has proved vital in combating COVID-19 and councils want to work with the Government to develop testing strategies which contain and reduce the virus in every area of the country, and for every section of our diverse communities."