Business
Leader bullied two senior officers, report finds
A council leader’s behaviour towards two senior officers amounted to bullying, a report into a code of conduct complaint has found.
Oflog should consolidate financial results monthly, say accountants
The Office for Local Government (Oflog) should consolidate the financial results and position of local authorities on a monthly basis, accountants have suggested.
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.
Lending rates could spike after audit reset, LGA warns
Proposals to reset the local audit system and clear the backlog of accounts could drive up the lending rates offered to the sector, councils have warned.
Regulator calls for 'substantial' planning intervention
The planning system requires ‘substantial intervention’ by the Government to ensure consistent delivery of new homes, a major study has concluded.
Thurrock boosted by £500m after sale
Thurrock Council has received £510m in payments following the sale of Toucan Energy Holdings – the firm that triggered a section 114 notice when it collapsed.
Lack of AI policies could have 'catastrophic consequences'
More than three out of four UK councils do not have usage policies for artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, according to data obtained using the Freedom of Information Act.
Rowley increases pressure for high-rise crackdown
Housing minister Lee Rowley has urged more councils to tackle rogue owners failing to fix problems with high-rise properties since the Grenfell tragedy.
Levelling up requires ‘meaningful’ devolution, business group says
Business leaders have called for ‘meaningful decision-making powers’ to be devolved to local authorities to help boost left-behind regions.
Council probe leads officers to ‘step back’
Two senior Guildford and Waverley officers have agreed to temporarily ‘step back’ from their roles amid intensifying investigations into housing maintenance contracts.
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.
Vote planned for first UK coastal tourism tax
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) hoteliers will vote on the introduction of a tourist tax in April as the authority withdraws direct funding amid budget pressures.
Creating a Centre for Population Health
Professor Durka Dougall explains how the Centre for Population Health can support health and care leaders in prioritising a more equal future for everyone.
Croydon to wind down Brick by Brick
Croydon LBC’s mayor is set to give the go-ahead to officially wind down the council’s development firm Brick by Brick.
Accountancy bodies move to offer dual membership
Two accountancy bodies are putting the ‘finishing touches’ to the registration process for an accelerated route to dual membership.
Call for Hunt to lift benefit subsidy cap
Councils have called for the cap on housing benefit subsidy that councils receive to be unfrozen amid warnings about the ‘spiralling increase’ in temporary accommodation (TA).
Sector should adopt national branding campaign to boost workforce
Local government should adopt a national branding campaign to recruit and retain staff amid a worsening workforce crisis, the County Councils’ Network has urged.
MPs in waste clarity call
England’s town halls cannot prepare for forthcoming waste reforms – including procurement - until ministers provide certainty over the impact on council coffers, MPs have warned.
Autumn Statement: Business rates measures to be fully funded
Plans to extend business rates relief will be fully funded for local authorities, the small print of the Autumn Statement has confirmed.
Cleverly comes under immediate asylum pressure
New home secretary James Cleverly has come under immediate pressure to ditch his predecessor’s controversial asylum centre in his constituency.