Legislation
Council apologises over FOI delays
Walsall Council has apologised for delays to its response under the Freedom of Information Act.
Clark: Tories and Labour unwilling to address SEND crisis
Labour and the Conservatives have been accused of an ‘unwillingness’ to confront the crisis in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services.
Five million could be disenfranchised by voter ID, polling finds
Five million voters could be disenfranchised by the Government’s new voter ID rules at the General Election, first-of-its-kind polling has suggested.
Ministers urged to 'change course' on high streets law
Councils have urged ministers to ‘change course’ as they push ahead with plans to make them produce improvement plans for some of their high streets.
Support for Zane's Law gathers momentum
Two more councils have backed calls for greater transparency over contaminated land and waters following the death of a seven-year-old boy.
Proposed law could ease housing emergencies
Scottish councils may be required to assess the condition of private rented accommodation under a proposed law.
LGA warning over XL Bully dogs ban
Councils face a double whammy of soaring costs and declining police support as they try to enforce a ban on XL Bully dogs.
Four-day week council decision 'disappointing and arrogant'
South Cambridgeshire DC’s decision to continue with its four-day week is ‘disappointing and arrogant,’ local government minister Simon Hoare has said.
Scottish Budget 'not good' for communities
Next year’s Scottish Budget is ‘not good’ for communities, council leaders have said.
The peer challenge
A reformed House of Lords must imply a new role in Parliament for local government leaders, says Michael Burton.
Chiefs back ethnicity pay gap reporting
Council chiefs have backed proposals that would place a duty on local authorities to collect data and report on staffing, pay and outcomes by ethnicity.
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’.
Get ready for the Procurement Act
The Procurement Act will bring both risks and opportunities for councils but they should consider how to take advantage of the increased flexibility it brings, says Steven Brunning.
It’s the era of the ALMO
Far from becoming extinct, arm’s-length housing management organisations offer better performance for less cash. Mike Ainsley and Eamon McGoldrick explain.
Ban on councils boycotting Israel moves forward
MPs have voted through legislation that aims to ban councils from launching boycotts of Israeli goods.
How CCS is preparing for the new Procurement Act
A look at how Crown Commercial Service is preparing for the Procurement Act 2023.
What can councils expect from stronger social housing regulation?
As councils get ready for the biggest shake-up in social housing regulation in 10 years, regulator Angela Holden gives an early insight into what to expect, ahead of the details due to published early next year.
Regional working is here to stay
John Copps says regional working in children’s services can no longer be something that can be seen as a side show and local authorities need to engage now or risk getting left behind.
Is it time to consider AI legislation?
Watching the development of the EU AI Act could provide local authorities unsure about the use of AI and its potential impact with some useful guidelines, writes Sandip Patel KC.
Committee calls for Government action on council debt chasing
Councils have been found to use ‘heavy-handed’ tactics to chase council tax debts, according to a report by MPs.