Coronavirus
Government prepares care homes for coronavirus surge
Councils will be asked to ‘take strong action’ against care homes that ignore new restrictions on movement as part of the Government’s winter plan for the sector.
How councils can reshape the future of high streets
Local authorities—many of whom are landlords — now have a unique opportunity to regenerate and transform our high streets for the future, say Andrew Knowles and Leena Gillespie.
The business rates system needs to go
Today is the deadline for the call for evidence for the Treasury’s review of business rates. Rather than tinkering with the current system, it needs to go, writes Cllr Sir Stephen Houghton.
Croydon would have issued s114 'in normal circumstances'
Croydon LBC’s £49m total net forecast general fund overspend means it would have had to have issued a Section 114 notice in ‘normal circumstances,’ senior councillors have heard.
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.
‘Let’s place our trust in the local’, urges Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury has today urged the Government to follow the clergy’s historic commitment to ‘localism’ rather than ‘determining the daily details of our lives’.
Devolution must back our success in delivery
The pandemic has proved again that bigger Government is not always better, says John Fuller. 'We have to celebrate the differences across our towns and cities, connecting and firing up engines of growth that have so far missed out from devolution'.
Before reorganisation we need a clear view of the sector's core purpose
How local government 'can sensibly be reorganised without a clear view of its core purpose (will adult social care services be in or out?) or funding mechanisms' is baffling Abdool Kara.
We share the Redmond Review's key aims
CIPFA supports the key objective of the Redmond Review to ensure the statutory framework for local government financial reporting aids transparency and accountability, and its focus on longer-term sustainability is vital, says Rob Whiteman.
Local solutions are key to global action
ENGIE is seeking out and supporting council clients – particularly those who have a clear climate change commitment, assertive leadership and adequate resources to deliver their climate emergency action plans, says Colin Macpherson.
Occupancy rates unsustainable in 26 Bradford care homes, says care chief
Occupancy rates are unsustainable in 26 care homes in Bradford, with people ‘genuinely worried’ about the risk of further virus outbreaks, says the council’s social care chief.
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.
No going back on audit
Heather Jameson talks to the author of The Redmond Review Sir Tony Redmond about the flaws in local government audit, the need for a new body to manage, oversee and regulate – and what will happen if his recommendations aren’t implemented quickly.
Time 'lost' when centre and local at odds over COVID
Effective global responses to COVID-19 depend on local leadership as the 'critical convenor' and time is lost when national and local authorities are ‘at odds with each other’, according to international policy experts.
Redundancy notifications at more than double levels of last recession
Redundancy notifications are running at more than double the levels seen in the 2008/09 recession, with the vast majority caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to new research.
Peterborough seeks financial rescue package
Peterborough City Council is in talks with the Government over plans to rescue its finances.
Inspiring a new generation
Future First works with state schools and colleges to link young people with alumni and employers, making it the perfect fit this year as the official charity for the The MJ Awards, says Nancy Scott.
More cash is vital for local contact tracing
Mayor of Lewisham Damien Egan says expanding local contact tracing is challenging, and restoring the national public health grant to at least 2015/16 funding levels would allow the council to build capacity.
Whole-place approach for a COVID-ready city
Globally, it has been shown that local leadership is the critical convenor in effective responses to COVID-19, say David Nabarro and John Atkinson, adding that time is lost where national and local authorities are at odds with each other.
Doing our best for Calderdale’s kids
Robin Tuddenham says a cautious approach to schools opening earlier in the year has made the full return of pupils this month ‘a collaborative effort built upon respect’.
