Better Lives

Overview

Districts ensure that no one gets left behind by tackling the complex needs of today whilst preventing the social challenges of tomorrow. We act at a scale where it is possible to solve problems rather than simply manage caseloads.

The project group

Member Lead – Temporarily vacant
Supporting Members – Cllr Phil King, Cllr Marc Bayliss
Chief Executive leads – Andy O’Brien, Adrian Pritchard
Contact: DCN@local.gov.uk for further information

Our workplan priorities include:

Ensuring funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) continues to be delivered directly to district councils
Continuing to influence government to ensure the funding for short term supported housing is not passported and is delivered directly to districts
Demonstrating how districts are key to preventing and reducing the instances of homelessness and rough sleeping and ensure our best practice examples inform policy development.
Ensuring that the new burdens introduced with the Homelessness Reduction Act (HRA) are properly funded by government for both short and long term
Supporting members implementing the HRA by sharing best practice and encouraging government to promote examples and learning from “trail blazer authorities”.
Support our members to ensure residents are living in homes free from hazards and landlords are complying with the required minimum standards of housing.

DCN UPDATES

District Councils’ Network welcomes new Secretary of State

District Councils' Network welcomes new Secretary of State Commenting on the appointment of The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP as Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, Cllr John Fuller OBE, Chair of the District Councils...

District Councils’ Network responds to annual homelessness statistics

District Councils’ Network responds to annual homelessness statistics Responding to the official annual homelessness statistics for 2020/21 published today, Cllr Phil King, DCN spokesperson for Better Lives, said: “The Government’s interventions at the start of the pandemic and the support...

DCN gives evidence to HCLG Committee inquiry into Permitted Development Rights

DCN gives evidence to HCLG Committee inquiry into Permitted Development Rights The DCN welcomes this important report from the HCLG Committee following their inquiry into permitted development rights. We're pleased the Committee has recognised the legitimate concerns held by district...

District Councils’ Network response to decision on local government reform proposals in North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Somerset

District Councils’ Network response to decision on local government reform proposals in North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Somerset Cllr John Fuller OBE, Chairman of the District Councils’ Network, said: These decisions on North Yorkshire and Somerset are bitterly disappointing. In the...

DCN responds to Defra proposals for consistency in household and business recycling

DCN responds to Defra proposals for consistency in household and business recycling The DCN believes that local councils and communities- from our city centres to our rural hamlets, and everyone in between- should continue to be able to decide how...