Consultation
Government launches MRP crackdown
Councils will be prevented from using capital receipts to replace minimum revenue provision (MRP) under plans to improve local government debt management, Whitehall officials have revealed.
Pincher defends planning reforms
The Government’s revised proposals for planning reforms will seek to make the system more accessible, transparent and predictable, housing minister Christopher Pincher told peers today.
Councils need to be brave on net-zero
Founder of Climate Emergency UK, Cllr Kevin Frea, says that, to meet net-zero targets, councils need to collaborate with their communities, including groups like Extinction Rebellion.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils brace themselves for local government exit pay cap
Councils are bracing themselves for the return of exit pay cap proposals as Whitehall officials draw up plans specific to the sector.
Hampshire hamstrung by social care cost pressures
Hampshire CC has revealed social care cost pressures are costing it more than double the value of government grant and the council tax precept.
Unison warns of strike action over pay
Trade union Unison has warned of future strike action unless local government employers improve their pay offer.
The people have spoken
Engaging with the public to gauge local priorities, Newham LBC’s first permanent Citizens’ Assembly saw members get to grips with the issues and offering practical recommendations and a good steer about what really matters. Heather Jameson reports.
EXCLUSIVE: Government rejects university hall quarantine idea
The Government has dismissed calls from the nine regional chief executives to allow international students from red-list countries (RLC) to quarantine in university halls.
Welsh Government looks at holiday home reforms
Holiday home owners in Wales could be charged the full amount of business rates amid claims people are being priced out of their local area.
Quarantine hotel consultation call
Council leaders have called for the Government to consult with local authorities before quarantine hotels are opened in their areas.
Treasury launches consultation for business rates revaluations every three years
The Treasury has made further moves towards business rates revaluations taking place more frequently.
Audit firms to be wooed
Audit appointment chiefs have launched a bid to attract more firms to the local government market from April 2023.
LEP Network: Councils should have greater role in review
Councils should have a greater role in the Government’s ongoing review of local enterprise partnerships (LEPs), a key figure has said.
Why Beeston’s blockbuster could spark many sequels
A state-of-the-art cinema is at the heart of the Beeston Square development in Broxtowe. Ruth Hyde says reinventing the retail past is not an option, and a ‘willingness to take sizeable risks’ was crucial.
Uproar at move towards 'national bin service'
Councils are preparing to fight government plans to create what they fear will be a ‘national bin service’.
Devolution call in business leaders' blueprint
Top business leaders have issued a blueprint for recovery that includes more devolved powers for metro mayors, unitaries and counties, and rebranded local enterprise partnerships (LEPs).
Reorganisation being 'rushed through in pandemic'
The current local government reorganisation process is being ‘rushed through in a pandemic,’ a shadow minister has said.
Vaccine may be made compulsory for care home staff
Staff in English care homes with older adults may be required to have a COVID-19 vaccine in a bid to tackle hesitancy within the sector.
Planners back districts to keep homes bonus
Planners have backed district councils to keep the lion’s share of New Homes Bonus (NHB) in response to a consultation on the funding pot’s future.
How to promote community participation
Ann McGauran reports from a FutureGov workshop on the best way to empower communities to get involved in designing local services.
