Councillors
LGA to call in conspiracy theory experts
The Local Government Association (LGA) is to talk to university experts to help councils counter a rising tide of conspiracy theories.
Keep it in the closet
There’s not been much to smile about in recent months.
Croydon increases capitalisation request
Croydon LBC has asked the Government for a loan £20m more than the amount first floated weeks ago.
This guy’s on fire!
Cllr Tom Sleigh was on fire at last week’s City of London Corporation meeting.
Crawley closures to fill budget gap
Senior Crawley BC councillors have decided to close two adventure playgrounds and five public toilets to fill a budget gap of more than £2m.
Thousands of councillors call for rethink on planning reforms
Over 2,000 councillors have called on the Government to rethink its planning proposals, warning the changes will lead to an ‘unacceptable loss’ of local democracy and scrutiny.
Elf on the toy shelf
It’s December – it would be remiss of Diary not to pick out its favourite yule-themed stories of the season.
Bolton calls for powers to set deficit budgets
Councillors want to suspend the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council taxpayers to ‘pay more and get less’
Local authorities have been left in the unenviable position of raising taxes in an effort to balance their books following the Spending Review, Local Government Association members have said.
Some painful choices
Diary appreciates it’s not been easy for councillors to get to grips with the new technology involved in holding meetings virtually.
Spelthorne undergoes finance peer review
A council branded reckless for excessively borrowing to buy up commercial property has undergone a finance peer review from the Local Government Association (LGA).
Taking the tea
Diary appreciates it’s not been easy for councillors to get to grips with the new technology involved in holding meetings virtually.
Gateshead to regain control of housing stock
Senior Gateshead MBC councillors have agreed to bring back housing stock under the council’s control from April after 16 years.
Crisis-hit Croydon approves action plan
Croydon LBC has approved an action plan to put ‘strong financial management and governance right at the heart of the organisation’.
Council leader steps down amid bullying probe
A council leader at the centre of bullying allegations has resigned from the role, quit the Labour party and stepped down from the authority.
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.
EXCLUSIVE: Shevlin suggests reorganisation alternative as rival bids threaten his council's future
A former chair of the District Councils’ Network chief executives’ group has suggested a radical alternative to reorganisation as battle lines are drawn around him.
Two of a kind
Politicians may be forced into denials on a regular basis, but spare a thought for Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s poor nighttime economy tsar, Sasha Lord.
Spelthorne councillors to be more involved in commercial decisions after criticism
Spelthorne BC councillors will be more involved in future investment-related decisions after the council’s borrowing was criticised for ignoring government guidance.
Council housing to return to met
Senior Kirklees MBC councillors have approved plans to transfer the management and maintenance of the borough’s council housing back to the local authority.
