Housing
Proposed law could ease housing emergencies
Scottish councils may be required to assess the condition of private rented accommodation under a proposed law.
Hail our local heroes
Councils have proven their mettle – now give them the trust and respect they deserve, writes Baroness Sharon Taylor.
Supporting communities together
Genuine collaboration between housing associations and councils can help them meet their combined ambitions for communities and neighbourhoods, says Felicity Hunt.
Call for reintroduction of housing targets
A cross-party coalition representing 27 mid-sized regional British cities has called for the next Government to reintroduce local housebuilding targets.
Future Forum: Call for 'wholesale' return to council housing
The only thing that will solve Britain’s housing crisis will be a ‘wholesale return to council housing,’ according to the chair of UK Innovation Corridor, Jackie Sadek.
Can the Liverpool city region seize its golden moment?
A Manifesto for Liverpool City Region addresses the economic, social, environmental and political challenges facing the next UK Government, say Dr Tom Arnold and Dr James Hickson.
Combined recipe for healthy communities
Tom Lloyd Goodwin highlights a programme designed to deliver more insight into mayoral combined authorities’ efforts to improve health, and to look at how these could be scaled to achieve more impact.
Southend-on-Sea says other councils soaking up supported living capacity
Southend-on-Sea City Council has revealed a significant amount of its supported living capacity is taken up by out-of-area placements from other councils.
Former Cabinet minister laments lack of planning reform
A former housing secretary has said the Conservatives’ lack of action on planning to speed up housebuilding may cost the party in the General Election.
Homes for Ukraine two years on: Safe and welcomed
Two years on from the instigation of the Homes for Ukraine scheme councils remain keen to work with government to meet the long-term needs of Ukrainians, says Cllr Kevin Bentley.
Jenrick leads new charge to axe nutrient neutrality laws
Former housing secretary Robert Jenrick is leading Tory calls for the Government to renew efforts to axe nutrient neutrality laws and boost house building.
Smarter spend will get Britain building again
Stephen Muers says policymakers must ‘spend smarter’ to tackle the temporary housing crisis, and he proposes a solution to the funding gap.
Setting out the foundation of a long-term housing plan
Over the coming weeks, CCN will outline a host of different reforms, from improving delivery of all housing tenures to resourcing planning departments better, writes Simon Edwards.
Local government can drive an inclusive transition to net zero
Emily Morrison calls for a place-based approach to net zero transition, saying national policy is failing to support the UK’s poorest households towards a carbon-neutral future.
'Housing emergency' council calls for Whitehall action
A council that recently declared a housing emergency has written to six Whitehall departments, urging them to ‘take decisive action’ because the situation is deteriorating.
Limited exemptions for empty homes powers
Councils will face only a limited number of exemptions from new powers allowing them to levy higher taxes on empty homes, ministers have confirmed.
Right to Buy lobbying fails as Treasury ends temporary boost
The Treasury has confirmed councils will no longer keep 100% of Right to Buy (RTB) receipts after the current financial year despite lobbying by the sector.
Cladding issue could be 'tip of iceberg'
Barnet LBC has warned fire safety issues with nearly 600 low-rise homes could be ‘just the tip of the iceberg across the country’.
Daring to be bold
The MJ’s series on building a new vision for local government, drawing from the 2007 Lyons Review, continues as Piali Das Gupta looks at how councils can do hard things successfully. 'We should have every confidence in the strength of our offer.'
Craig's call for asylum change
Manchester City Council’s leader has urged Whitehall to implement ‘simple changes’ to asylum policy to ease huge pressures on major urban centres.