News
Boris Johnson promises business rates cuts
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the Confederation of British Industry annual conference today that a ‘fundamental review’ of business rates will take place should his party win the election.
Middlesbrough faces £4.4m overspend
The English council with the highest number of young people affected by income deprivation is facing a £4.4m overspend.
Councils help Doncaster after sandbags plea
Councils clubbed together after desperate Doncaster MBC put out an urgent request for 20,000 sandbags amid warnings that communities could become cut off by flooding.
Welsh teenagers to get the vote in local government ‘overhaul’
A new law to give 16- and 17-year-olds in Wales the vote in council elections has been unveiled by the Welsh Government.
Health leaders in fresh social care warning
Health leaders have warned that the persistent neglect of social care is damaging patient care across the NHS.
Counties to press for 'devolution for all'
A call has been made for the next Government to increase the level of devolution to county councils.
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Opinion
More information is better
One thing canvassers might remember is that voters ‘are free-thinking individuals who can change our minds if we hear a better argument’, says Claire Fox.
District councils play a major role in health and well-being.
If we can keep our most vulnerable residents safe, well and happy in their own homes, this will prevent future health crises that could cost the public purse far more, says Paul Shevlin.
Redefining what good looks like
Impower’s annual top 10 list is a celebration of strong council performance and, as Jon Ainger explains, many local authorities have stepped up to the challenge.
S106 & Unilateral Undertakings
The area of law relating to imposing planning obligations in relation to land that the local authority itself owns remains a headache, but there are other options to consider, says Tiffany Cloynes.
Creating a country that works for all
Arianna Giovannini of IPPR North says that whichever party emerges as the winner on 13 December should prioritise rebalancing our national economy - creating a country that works for everyone.
‘Unleash the potential of counties’
The County Councils’ Network conference begins this weekend against the backdrop of the General Election campaign. Simon Edwards says a major focus will be on ensuring counties and local government get a fair share in any future spending pledges.
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Best Practice
Turning agency fees into more spending for children
Cllr James Valentine explains how Bedford BC has been able to attract the permanent employees needed to support children and save £1.5m on agency workers in the first 12 months.
Analysis
Lessons learned from two years of the State of Transformation
Benjamin Taylor reviews the landscape of local government transformation over two years of case studies, conferences and academies. The picture that emerges is both a depressing and inspiring one.
Private sector
Kier's chief operating officer quits
Kier’s chief operating officer (COO), Claudio Veritiero, has left the business with immediate effect, after only being appointed in August 2018.
Robotics in care; a question of trust?
PA Consulting is trialling 'cobots' (collaborative robots) in care settings - and reactions have so far been positive, says Lesley Grant. If the trial is successful, cobots could be an effective way to bridge the care gap, she adds.
Labour proposes BT public ownership plan
BT would be partly taken back into public ownership under Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s plan to nationalise the UK’s broadband network.