In recognition of her considerable contribution to education and local government, WLGA Leader
@LeaderNewport
has been created a life peer in the Honours List.
➡️ Read more here:
Please spare a thought for all council staff who are – and will be - playing key roles in the emergency response to the
#Coronavirus
outbreak.
So much will be asked of them in the coming weeks in very uncertain circumstances.
To them, we very sincerely say: Thank You
Leader of WLGA, Baroness Wilcox of Newport
@LeaderNewport
, today took her seat in the
@UKHouseofLords
after being awarded a peerage in former Prime Minister Theresa May's Resignation Honours List earlier in the year
👉
Just to put councillors' "complaining" in context...
➡️Our schools face a funding gap of £130m
➡️Our social services alone this year face funding pressures of £262m - rising to £385m by 2022
➡️Local gov core funding ⬇️22% since 2009 - that's over £1bn lost from local services
Councils are doing all they can to maintain services, but it's likely some services will be scaled back as the
#Coronavirus
spreads
📺WLGA Leader
@AndrewMorganRCT
explains how councils are reviewing the way they work for the sake of residents, staff and service users' wellbeing
Many thanks to all council workers across Wales who are working hard to clear the roads, care for the elderly and maintain services in poor weather conditions
To people who may be thinking of moving elsewhere to self-isolate, the message is simple:
❌DON’T relocate away from your primary address. DON’T needlessly put already strained vital services under more pressure
✅DO stay home to save lives
#Coronavirus
Merry Christmas from all at WLGA, and sincere thanks to all council staff who will be working to maintain local services over the festivities
Nadolig Llawen gan bawb o CLlLC, a diolch o galon i'r holl weithwyr cyngor fydd yn gweithio i gynnal gwasanaethau lleol dros yr wyl
Tonight, we remember all those who have lost their lives to coronavirus. Our thoughts are sincerely with their grieving families and loved ones
Heno, cofiwn am bawb sydd wedi colli eu bywydau i'r coronafeirws. Meddyliwn am eu teuluoedd a'u ffrindiau yn eu galar
⚠️For the sake of residents, communities and local services that are already under strain, it's essential that EVERYONE complies with
@WelshGovernment
measures.
Stay at home, save lives
More here➡️
#Coronavirus
Racism has no place in our communities, in Wales or the world.
Welsh councils and WLGA will continue to work with our communities, local and national partners, and
@WelshGovernment
in challenging and tackling racism and discrimination in all forms.
Council staff have been a reassuring constant for people in communities across Wales during this difficult year.
They have shown extraordinary empathy, kindness, strength and dedication.
We sincerely thank the entire local government workforce for their outstanding contribution
Intimidation of councillors is unacceptable, undermines democracy, and deters people from standing for election.
Councils need to reflect diverse communities. We need more women, young and BAME people to stand for office (1/2)
Council workers in all parts of Wales are once again working hard to clear the roads, maintain vital services and keep us safe amidst stormy conditions.
Please remember to keep an eye on your council's social media for any updates.
#StormDennis
The
@WelshGovernment
will shortly set next year's budget.
More investment in council-run essential local services means
🏥 Healthier communities
💼 Local jobs
📚 Better funding for education
📈 Local economic growth
🏘 More housing
And much more.
#CouncilsCan
Council leaders and
@WelshGovernment
joined forces today to convene for a joint Cabinet meeting believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.
Close working is key to get to grips with matters such as the social care crisis, climate change and economic recovery.
Dedicated council workers across Wales continue to move mountains to care, protect and provide vital services for residents at a deeply unsettling time.
Very sincerely, we thank every single one of them.
👉 Read more here:
From Maenan to Monmouth, Caerleon to Conwy, Ruthin to the Rhondda, tireless council staff have worked around the clock in atrocious conditions over recent weeks to respond to devastating floods.
They have certainly made us proud to be Welsh 🏴
#StDavidsDay
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus 🏴
Let’s celebrate the “pethau bychain” – the little things happening right now, all over Wales, which make us proud to be Welsh.
So, go on, tell us – what makes you proud to be Welsh?
#StDavidsDay
Speaking on
@BBCRadioWales
this morning, WLGA Leader
@DebbieWilcox1
said “A committed workforce is local government’s most valuable asset, and those workers have truly done Wales proud especially over the last few days.”
#SnowHeroes
Wales’ 22 council leaders and all members of the Welsh Government Cabinet convened on Wednesday. The joint Cabinet meeting is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.
📝Read more:
Councillors are ordinary everyday people who want to make a difference in their community.
✅ Debate is welcomed
❌ Abuse will NOT be tolerated
Here is a quick guide to help councillors deal with abuse:
#DebateNotHate
It's far from 'business as usual' for our economy at the moment. Firms have been paralysed by uncertainty.
That's why council staff all over Wales have acted quickly to distribute over half a billion pounds to support 41,000 eligible firms at this tough time
#ThankYouCouncils
👏
Councils have stepped up to lead efforts to overcome the crisis. But budgets are being squeezed to the limit.
Leaders will work with all levels of government to see how local services can be protected in our communities.
More here:
Wishing all the best to our colleagues in nine councils who will be at
@PrideCymru
this weekend as part of
#ProudCouncils
. Remember to drop by their stall to say hello! 🌈
#StillProud
Spiralling costs are hitting residents in the pocket and are squeezing essential local services.
WLGA Leader
@AndrewMorganRCT
says essential local services face “austerity on steroids” if swift action doesn’t happen.
It is with great sadness we learn of the passing of Clare Drakeford.
On behalf of Welsh local government, we extend our heartfelt condolences to
@PrifWeinidog
.
Councils are discussing emergency plans to make sure key services are delivered, including providing:
✅ Emergency childcare
✅ Free school meals
✅ Care for the vulnerable
To find out more about provision in your area, please visit your local council's website
#Coronavirus
📺 At today's
@seneddhealth
meeting,
@AndrewMorganRCT
recounts local gov response at start of the COVID crisis:
"Vast majority of staff live in their own council areas, so the reason why officers and those on frontline have gone over and beyond is because it's their communities"
Council services are creaking under the weight of austerity. With proper funding, local and preventative services can play a vital role in ensuring the wellbeing of individuals and communities
#WelshBudget
Horrendous to hear of a colleague in
@BridgendCBC
being subject to vile racist abuse.
To be absolutely clear to anyone who thinks this is in any way OK:
⚫️Councils will not tolerate abuse of staff
⚫️Councils will not tolerate racism in any form
⚫️Councils will take action
A black worker at Kier has been the victim of appalling racist abuse from the public.
Twice, by different perpetrators, in just one week.
Whilst serving the people of Bridgend.
We will not tolerate racism.
Both incidents were recorded and the evidence is with
@swpolice
📢Today 22 council leaders in Wales released a joint statement pledging a fair and respectful election campaign:
Read the statement here:
Resources available here:
#DebateNotHate
👏 WLGA Leader
@AndrewMorganRCT
is clapping tonight to thank key workers across the country.
They're working around the clock to care for us and keep us safe.
This Easter weekend, help them by staying at home to stop the virus spreading.
#EasterAtHome
#ClapForCarers
“The financial package announced today is supported by WLGA and will be fully discussed at our Council. It signals significant progress in our ongoing deliberations and demonstrates a concerted effort to offset the impact of austerity in Wales.”
@LeaderNewport
The
@WelshGovernment
has today announced modest changes to the Coronavirus rules.
We all have a responsibility to observe the guidelines and act sensibly to limit the spread of the disease.
More here:
Be they MPs, MSs or councillors - there is never any justification for threatening our elected representatives.
Thank you to
@BrownBeca
,
@DoddsJane
,
@LSRPlaid
and
@JonesyFay
for sharing their harrowing experiences.
👇TW: Threat of violence
"Local Authorities want to welcome people from
#Ukraine
to Wales. We've been knocking on Westminster's door asking to help. The people of
#Wales
don't expect anything less from us. Everyone is eager to help,"
@NiaJeffreys
WLGA Deputy Spokesperson on Migration on
@BBCRadioCymru
.
WLGA is pleased this year that 4 leaders and 6 deputies in Welsh councils are women, and we celebrate the contribution of the 28% of cllrs who are women. But we must make progress to increase these numbers to reach equal representation in local government
#Suffrage100
#100years
Over £570 has been raised by WLGA and
@dataunitwales
staff in this year’s Christmas Appeal for the Huggard Centre, a Cardiff-based charity which offers shelter and support for the homeless. Find out more about the charity’s work:
🎒🏫📚Local government has welcomed plans announced by
@wgmin_education
to safely welcome pupils back to school in September.
Local authorities and schools will work together on careful plans and preparations, in line with
@WelshGovernment
guidance
Councils are at the heart of our communities. They are the first port of call for the most vulnerable or those in need of support or assurance.
Councils guide, lead and support. They deliver hundreds of vital services daily.
📽️ Watch
@WalesGovernance
at
@SeneddELGC
today
Councils have had to prioritise services after seeing cuts of £1bn since 2009
With an extra £593m due to flow to
@WelshGovernment
coffers after the UK Spending Review, there is an opportunity to invest in essential local services
The announcement by
@mhclg
today recognises councils' central role in the effort to halt
#Coronavirus
and to help protect our precious NHS.
It is vital that the extra £95m to Wales comes to our local services.
More here:
Caerphilly County Borough Council has been shortlisted in the “Best Council Services Team” category for their approach to Free School Meal Delivery Service throughout the pandemic. Well done
@CaerphillyCBC
👏Brilliant to see the outstanding work of many Welsh councils referenced in this report.
Council-led local responses have been a cornerstone of the national response to the pandemic. They will remain so as we look to recover and beyond.
Find out more here 👀⬇️
𝑵𝑬𝑾 𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑬𝑨𝑹𝑪𝑯
⚖️The most successful Covid responses were local
⚖️Communities & councils joined up like never before
⚖️Adapting, Collaborating & Innovating to protect lives
⚖️So how do we sustain this, & really shift the balance?
🧵
Finance Spokesperson
@leadertcbc
urges
@WelshGovernment
to rethink its budget, and notes local government would work with them to avoid education job losses on a huge scale
Councils have so far managed to shield the two larger services - social care and education - from the worst of the cuts. However, if the budget cuts continue, local government will not be able to protect any services, with cuts spreading to all areas
#WelshBudget
.
@stevethomas100
: "Look at what local gov is doing across Wales. Look at what we're achieving. I'm proud to have served the most hard-working politicians in Wales, and we now have the best cadre of council leaders in a generation. Thank you all."
#WLGACouncil
Councils have worked quickly to get over £610m to almost 50,000 businesses hit by Coronavirus uncertainty.
To all the hard working staff involved: Thank You. You are making a real difference
👏
#ThankYouCouncils
📢 More than £610m worth of rates relief grants have now reached businesses in
#Wales
with nearly 50,000 awards made.
👍 Local Authorities continue to do a fantastic job getting funding to businesses as quickly as possible.
🙏 Thank you for all that you’re doing.
@WelshLGA
At the
@SeneddELGC
, Finance Spokesperson
@leadertcbc
notes how comparison with the
#localgov
situation in England is irrelevant when residents in Wales are seeing their services being slashed every year. A step-change in local gov funding is needed by
@WelshGovernment
Brilliant work by
@CeredigionCC
👏
Contact tracing will be key to help us learn to live with the disease, before we can overcome it. The role of councils in each local area will be essential
Awful to hear of
@JayneCowan
being targeted and threatened. No councillor should have to suffer such appalling abuse or threats towards them or their property.
Not only is this behaviour damaging to councillors’ health and wellbeing, but also to the future of our local democracy
Crossing the finishing line at
@WelshLGA
today. Phew! Huge thanks to all brilliant councillors, colleagues and friends. Thanks to Alison Ward for the wonderful CD 👏👏👏
Our local services are showing their mettle and true value in their response to this crisis.
WLGA Leader
@AndrewMorganRCT
pays tribute to workers and councillors' "unstinting commitment" in the latest edition of first magazine
@LGAcomms
Read more:
Christina Harrhy, Chief Executive of
@CaerphillyCBC
has been shortlisted for “Chief Executive of the Year” for her proactive leadership and her organisation’s response to COVID and partnership working. Good luck
@ChristinaHarrhy
Local services have borne the brunt of cuts to councils for almost a decade. Councils will be forced to make extremely tough decisions on valued services if investment isn't urgently forthcoming
#WelshBudget
WLGA welcomes announcement by
@wgmin_finance
of £48.1m funding made available for councils to meet previously announced pension increases by UK Government.
Read more here 👉
Debate and disagreement are cornerstones of democracy. Threats and abuse are not.
WLGA,
@COSLA
,
@LGAcomms
and
@NI_LGA
have teamed up to develop resources to encourage civil digital conversations.
👉
#DebateNotHate
The
#WLGACouncil
is set to begin, with members proudly showing their support for the White Ribbon campaign making a stand against gender based violence
Follow the link to read some thoughts on
#localgov
from our new Chief Executive, Dr Chris Llewelyn, in this month's edition of
@LGANews
First magazine:
WLGA Leader
@LeaderNewport
highlights the devastating effects of austerity on society. Investment in local services would help to offset some of those worst impacts. Cutting local services in a time of austerity is a "self fulfilling prophecy"
On
#InternationalWomensDay
, we celebrate the contribution of women in local government, and note the progress still needed to achieve equality.
Equality Cabinet Members met on Friday to to reaffirm commitment to promoting equality and diversity
#choosetochallenge
#DiDCymru
WLGA Chief Executive
@stevethomas100
, who will be retiring at the end of the year, is giving a wide-ranging valedictory speech in the Senedd. Outlines devolution as a chance to do things differently, and how local government is the locus point of people's day-to-day lives
WLGA Statement - The WLGA welcomes the Minister's announcement confirming that examination results this year will be awarded on the basis of teacher assessments. We thank the Minister for listening to our and others’ calls and, above all, the voice of learners. (1/4)
⬇️Appalling abuse received by Councillor
@joshuabeynon97
✅Debate is welcome
❌Intimidation is not
Intimidation, abuse or threats to councillors will not be tolerated.
Action WILL be taken.
👉🏽Here is some advice to councillors on dealing with abuse:
Another week of being told I’m a ‘gremlin’, that my ‘husband will be raped’, I’m a ‘paedophile’ and finally need my head sorted. The haters can carry on hating but it won’t shut me up.
All reported to
@DyfedPowys
and the call handler was professional and kind. Thank you.
"Gall cynghorau Cymru gymryd rhan llawn yn croesawu pobl o Wcráin i Gymru. Rydan ni wedi bod cnocio ar ddrws San Steffan yn cynnig help. Fasa pobl Cymru ddim yn disgwyl dim llai gynnon ni. Maen nhw mor awyddus i helpu."
📻
@NiaJeffreys
ar
@BBCRadioCymru
Local government in Wales has been horrified to witness the events unfolding in Afghanistan and has renewed its pledge to support the UK Government in relocating locally employed staff from the region.
Read more here:
Members are meeting virtually today for the WLGA AGM in an extroardinary year.
@HuwJDavidCC
has been reappointed Presiding Officer, and
@AndrewMorganRCT
has been recognised by members as Leader
#WLGACouncil
Congratulations to all members of
@SeneddWales
elected over the weekend!
We look forward to working in partnership and to promote the role of local government in our communities
WLGA Leader
@AndrewMorganRCT
has written to fellow council leaders to seek to discuss COVID measures in supermarkets. He will continue to share such concerns with Ministers.
COVID regulations remain in place for all retail shops in Wales 👇🏽
We are incredibly shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Sir David Amess MP.
On behalf of local government in Wales, we send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and community.
Do you want to be a councillor? We have set up a ‘Be a Councillor’ website, with e-learning, advice, videos and case studies. Have a look:
Read
@AndrewMorganRCT
vision for local authorities in Wales:
Here are just a few examples of over 7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ essential local services being delivered by councils daily in our communities.
Councils make a difference to people's lives.
Councils matter.
#CouncilsCan
Local council services are there to help us all every day. But they are under enormous financial strain.
It’s vital that they receive the necessary support so that they can still be there for our communities.
📺
@huwthomas_Wales
gives a stark overlook
@WalesPolitics
WLGA has today welcomed the announcement of a cautious and innovative plan by
@wgmin_education
to offer pupils a chance to Check in, Catch Up, Prepare for summer and September from 29th June.
Read more here: