Briefings and responses

LGA's response to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) future funding strategy for 2019-2024.

The Government’s industrial strategy provides a critical opportunity to drive the creation of a successful, world-leading economy and the LGA welcomes the Government’s ambition to drive growth and tackle the economic imbalances in different parts of the country.

We have drafted this response alongside our response to the DLUHC consultation on introducing a new use class for short-term lets. It will be vital that both the planning use class changes and the registration scheme are introduced alongside each other, as neither will be effective without the other mechanism.

Councils have been raising concerns about the impact of unregulated growth in the tourist accommodation sector for some time. We welcome Government’s exploration of the issue and urge Government to take meaningful action to rebalance the impacts of this growth industry.

Local government has been raising concerns about the impact of unregulated growth in this sector for some time. It is a national issue, with the impacts of short-term letting found across the country. We have drafted this response alongside our response to the DCMS consultation on introducing a registration scheme.

This review is timely and much needed in light of the challenges posed to the visitor economy by the pandemic, which has exacerbated pre-existing weaknesses as well as creating significant new issues.

Councils in England are currently the biggest funder of sport and leisure services and facilities. Leisure operators face bills up to 200 percent higher this year compared to 2019 (the last normal operating year), with costs set to grow by up to 240 percent next year.

Councils are well placed to lead local action around culture and help people to identify with, understand, appreciate, engage with and feel a sense of ‘belonging’ in their local area.

The situation facing councils on cultural investment is a significant challenge, given that half of councils are facing reductions.

The visitor economy sector has taken one of the biggest financial hits due to COVID-19. Gaps in support packages alongside the absence of the seasonal boost the industry usually sees over the summer means the impact of the pandemic will be felt in the weeks and months to come, with many at risk of closure.