LGA launches 2024/25 Sector Support Programme

The Local Government Association (LGA) has launched its Sector Support programme for  2024/25.

The programme aims to provide councils with new and enhanced tools and support to harness opportunities, drive improvement across all regions and deliver critical services to communities.

The support offer is funded by the UK Government and builds on the current five key themes of governance, leadership, finance, workforce and transformation, directly informed by engagement with local government.

This year's offer has been informed by insights from the improvement and assurance framework consultation in order to help ensure that councils are in a better position to improve and address any challenges which emerge.

This includes a strengthened Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) approach and expanded range of officer and councillor development opportunities, including for statutory officers. The new CPC will have a greater focus on finance, data and evidence, delivering a strong assessment of council performance and productivity.

There will also be a new foundation programme for newly appointed chief executives, following a successful pilot in 2023-24.

Cllr Abi Brown OBE, Chair of the LGA’s Improvement and Innovation Board, said: “We are delighted to launch this year’s Sector Support Programme for councils, which has been informed by councils. New and continuing aspects of this offer respond directly to sector needs.

“Peer led support remains a cornerstone of the programme – no one understands local government better than local leaders and councillors, chief executives and senior officers, who are uniquely equipped to provide advice and support.

“Our strengthened CPC approach is part of a wider focus on assurance to meet the needs of the sector. CPCs are a recognised improvement and assurance tool, which holds a mirror up to the local authority. This offer is available to all councils, with all councils expected to have a CPC at least once every five years.

“Our wide-ranging programme will continue to provide local authorities with necessary support to deliver critical services which our residents rely on, while helping them to make the best of opportunities and drive improvement in their areas.

“The sector support programme provides highly impactful support. Given the scale of challenges facing the sector, now more than ever it is critical that councils have access to support they need.”