Consultation
Ministers to make more changes to debt rules
Ministers are poised to impose immediate further changes to local government debt rules – including stricter in-year reporting of unpaid loan repayments due to town halls.
A duck by any other name?
‘Co-production’ has been one of the big buzzwords in public services for several years – but how can organisations design this into their thinking? Anthony Noun offers his insights using – among other things – lessons from a ‘Lego Duck Challenge’.
Council eyes cutting back rubbish collection
A council could reduce how often it picks up household rubbish that cannot be recycled or composted to once a month despite Government proposals.
Online sales tax not priority for London
London Councils has decided it will not prioritise an online sales tax (OST) as part of its lobbying effort.
EXCLUSIVE: No pay offer until after local elections
Local government employers will not make a pay offer until after the upcoming local elections in May, The MJ understands.
Councils lobby for reduced audit fees amid backstop plan
Fees for councils should be slashed if auditors are forced to give qualified opinions due to failing to meet the backstop deadline later this year, English councils have said.
Coventry pushes ahead with 'fire and rehire' plan
Coventry City Council has begun a staff consultation over controversial ‘fire and rehire’ proposals.
From 0 to hero on net zero
Barnet’s latest Climate Scorecard rating shows what can be achieved in 18 months, including the creation of a citizens’ and young people’s assembly, writes Yogita Popat.
Senior Lib Dem calls for permitted development rights review
A review of permitted development rights (PDRs) should take place before reforms are introduced to make it easier to convert commercial buildings or units into homes, a senior Lib Dem has said.
Government timetable could push councils to issue section 114s, treasurers warn
The Government’s proposed timeline for implementing changes to tackle risky borrowing by some councils could end up pushing local authorities into section 114 territory, district treasurers have warned.
Officer warning over street votes
Senior council officers have issued a scathing response to plans for street-level planning votes – dismissing the idea as a costly and complex ‘proliferation of polls’.
Partnerships will unlock potential of Oxfordshire’s children
Children and young people are at the heart of Oxfordshire’s partnership approach – a shared vision to give them the very best start in life, says Cllr John Howson.
Welsh councils to wait for tourism tax
Tourism taxes will not be in place in Wales until 2027, the Welsh Government has estimated.
Kensington & Chelsea launches standards drawn up with residents
Kensington and Chelsea LBC has become the first council to publish service standards co-designed with residents as part of its continuing response to the Grenfell tragedy.
Home Office warned over asylum targets
Councils have warned the Home Office not to impose unrealistic targets for asylum and resettlement schemes ahead of a consultation on the issue.
Pension consultants ramp up opposition to pooling reforms
Council pension consultants have intensified opposition to Whitehall’s plan for a single model for pooled funds before a key Government consultation closes next week.
Government accused of 'paralysing' councils on waste
The Government has been accused of leaving frustrated councils ‘paralysed’ by ‘painfully slow’ progress pushing through its waste strategy.
Sheffield’s fresh start aims to rebuild trust
After the tree felling scandal, Sheffield is determined to move on as a city and a council, and to change the entire culture. Heather Jameson talks to chief executive Kate Josephs and new leader Cllr Tom Hunt.
County shelves combined authority plans
Warwickshire CC has shelved plans to join the West Midlands Combined Authority due to a tight timescale.
Newcastle to consult on bringing housing in-house
Newcastle City Council will consult on bringing its housing services back in-house.