Brexit
Revolution for Welsh local democracy
The Welsh Government’s Local Government and Elections Bill is not a technical and legalistic charter, says Welsh local government minister Julie James. Rather, it will ‘positively transform the experience of democratic engagement and empowerment’
‘Challenges’ remain despite Brexit funding
Concerns remain about the looming end of the Brexit transition period despite councils receiving £10m to aid preparations.
Questions over Brexit preparation at ports
A call has been made to the Government to shift its focus from Dover to other ports as it prepares for a no-deal Brexit.
HOUSING: Changing needs for housing delivery
In order to deliver anything like the number of new homes needed, we need a new era of municipal housing delivery and we need to embrace modern methods of construction, says Mike De’Ath.
Communities, COVID and Marcus
Community and charity activity is helpful – and absolutely essential during COVID – says Dan Corry. But he argues that the comprehensive actions we need to tackle so many of the issues we face also depend on the central and local state.
Care home occupancy down over Grim Reaper fears
People are reluctant to put their relatives into care homes because they think the ‘Grim Reaper is waiting at the gate,’ a senior councillor has warned.
Get ready for a reset between Brexit and pandemics
Two reports from the IfG this week make for stark reading, just as we begin the second lockdown of the pandemic, says Heather Jameson. But there may be changes afoot to health funding that could mean a big shift
Think-tank issues warning on Brexit readiness
Local authorities and the devolved nations risk being overwhelmed by Brexit as they are trying to deal with the COVID-19 crisis, a think tank has claimed.
Just another brick in the wall?
The 55 Northern Conservative MPs who wrote to No 10 this week know that if they cannot deliver what the ‘red wall’ voters expected them to deliver then they are toast at the next general election, writes Mike Burton.
Show me the money
Remember those heady days gone by when the political agenda was dominated by Brexit?
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked report warns sector less ready for Brexit transition
Local government is less ready for the end of the transition period than it was for a no-deal Brexit last October, a Whitehall document leaked to The MJ has warned.
Whatever happened to devolution?
Devolution is an ‘unfinished’, disconnected project that benefits some areas but excludes others, says Dr Arianna Giovannini. Shelving the White Paper will foster new inequalities and competition between devo deals ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’, she adds.
Report calls for government to help stretched local decision-makers
Ministers must act to ease the worries of stretched local decision-makers amid rising concerns about their role, a cross-government report has urged.
Central government needs to stand back
Dr Jonathan Carr-West asks if anyone has any sense of a sustained strategic focus on tackling the pandemic from government, and he feels only local government can manage the alignment of social, environmental and economic recovery that we need.
Facing down the pandemic
A line-up of 13 top speakers delivered The MJ’s first virtual Future Forum on lessons learned from the pandemic and the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Michael Burton and Heather Jameson report on the conclusions.
EXCLUSIVE: Nine regional chiefs deliver Whitehall ultimatum
An ultimatum has been delivered by the nine regional chief executives working closely with the Government on the sector’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, The MJ has learnt.
Councils enlist MPs’ help over lorry parks
Local authorities have called on MPs to help lobby the Government over the creation of lorry parks to cope with no-deal Brexit border disruption.
'A really terrible time' for reorganisation
There is never going to be a good time for local government reorganisation, says Paul Shevlin. 'There is definitely a really terrible time and this is it.'
New Inclusive Growth Network to drive local economic recovery
Launched today, the Inclusive Growth Network will showcase the successes of local leaders in delivering a better, bolder vision for people and places across the UK, says Charlotte Alldritt.
Frustration bubbles over wait for Brexit bonanza
The Government runs the risk of ‘levelling up everywhere at rock bottom’ as uncertainty continues to reign over funding for the regions months after Brexit.
