The government yesterday published its consultation on the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2023/24. The consultation will last for 4 weeks (from 19 December 2022 to 16 January 2023.)

The Provisional Settlement would see £5 billion made available overall (in England) in extra resources, with overall core spending power set to rise to £59 billion in 2023/24.

London Councils is examining the settlement in detail and will be sending a briefing to members on the consultation shortly.

In light of the recent cold weather and dropping temperatures, London Councils’ Executive Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, Mayor Philip Glanville, said: “As we saw last week, London boroughs were prepared for the winter season and continue to stand ready to support our communities through the cold weather when it returns.

“As the cost of living crisis continues and winter sets in, boroughs are also working with the voluntary sector to get rough sleepers into emergency shelters, operating local warm banks and looking out for vulnerable residents through our social care teams.

“London boroughs and their staff are working flat out to ensure their most important routes are free of frost and ice and safe for all road users across the capital. They have a particular focus on key areas around public transport, infrastructure and town centres, as well as listening to Londoners about other priorities such as pavements and cycle routes."

A reminder that boroughs have until 9 January 2023 to submit an expression of interest for the Adult Social Care Innovation Fund.

Managed by the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI), the fund will provide up to £100,000 to two projects and is open to submissions from the 24 London boroughs who are LOTI members.

The winners will also have access to advice and hands-on assistance from LOTI’s expert team and wider professional networks on issues such as information governance, data analysis, and technology development.

Project  submissions will need to address one or more of the themes of: better residential and care homes; better care at home; better community support models.

This blog explains more about what LOTI means by 'new service models' and why the fund has been launched to support innovation in these areas.

London Councils Executive Member for Community Safety and Violence Against Women & Girls, Cllr Jas Athwal, has written to the Justice Secretary Dominic Raab seeking answers as to why Jordan McSweeney, with his 28 prior convictions for 69 offences, was released from prison days before murdering Redbridge resident Zara Aleena.

Serial offender Jordan McSweeney has been sentenced to a minimum of 38 years for sexually assaulting and murdering 35-year-old aspiring lawyer Zara Aleena in Ilford, east London.

Your next Key Issues will be in your inbox on Wednesday 11 January 2023. In the meantime, from everyone at London Councils, we wish you a very Happy Christmas.