By Tony Crook, Jennie Currie, Alastair Jackson, Sarah Monk. Steven Rowley, Kerry Smith and Christine WhiteheadThis report summarizes the findings of an evaluation of the impact of planning agreements on affordable homes. The research was funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, with the Housing Corporation, the Countryside Agency, the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Royal Town Planning Institute. 

The Local Government Association has welcomed government plans to reform housing benefit - but it will continue to press for improvements to the existing system while the proposed reforms are being assessed.The LGA has lobbied for a number of years for improvements to the benefits system, especially changes to make it simpler. 

A call has been made for partnerships of local organisations to pilot new methods of delivering children’s services in their areas, based on the ideas set out in the discussion document “Serving Children Well” which was produced by the Local Government Association, Directors of Social Services and the NHS Confederation.It came as the LGA and the ADSS launched a national network forum for providers of children’s services.