County Councils Network
Social care green paper delayed - again
The long-awaited social care green paper has been further delayed until the autumn after repeated Whitehall insistencies it was on track.
In high need of a funding solution
Over the last few years, much progress has been made to highlight the growing pressures in both children’s services and schools funding for councils.
A time for leadership and reflection
As senior figures head to Dorset for the ACCE conference, three key participants discuss what areas they are looking to see the sector improve upon.
Government could intervene in tier splits row
The Government could be left to intervene to settle the thorny issue of business rates tier splits under 75% retention, The MJ understands.
Two-tier split issue to be decided
Work to thrash out how two-tier areas will split the cash from 75% business rates retention is expected to take place throughout the spring and summer.
Deprivation key to fair funding - Core Cities
Student numbers, deprivation, density and pollution should all be recognised by the Government when it draws up new spending formulas, the Core Cities have argued.
Timetable will plunge sector into 'crisis management'
Local government would be thrown into a period of ‘crisis management’ under the Government’s current fair funding timetable, Whitehall has been warned.
Over-85 numbers must be in new formula - CCN
County councils have said it is ‘crucial’ that the new funding formula is able to reflect the growing number of over-85s.
Districts committed to contest single unitary
Buckinghamshire districts have vowed to fight plans for a single unitary council for the county after they were backed by local government secretary Sajid Javid.
Return of the unitary bandwagon
Evidence concludes that the case for moving from a two-tier system to a unitary model could not be sustained. So, argue Professors Steve Leach and Colin Copus, why is Whitehall looking at this option for Northamptonshire?
We have a once in a generation chance to reform our finance system
Cllr Nick Rushton argues the fair funding debate has so far been dominated by anecdote rather than evidence - and this must change.
Javid backs county unitary in Buckinghamshire
Local government secretary Sajid Javid has backed a single unitary council for Buckinghamshire.
LGA criticises May's land banking crackdown
Government plans to tackle the housing shortage by ending land banking are not enough and should be accompanied by fresh borrowing powers for councils, Smith Square has warned.
Write strategic planning back into the system
John Wood outlines how he believes counties can do more to exploit their strengths in housing delivery.
Reorganisation in counties must be based on evidence
Reorganisation may be part of the future of local government in two–tier counties, but it will only deliver long-term sustainability if it is built around evidence, not short-term fixes, argues James Maker.
Auditor in 'unlawful' budget warning
Crisis-hit Northamptonshire CC was this week told to rip up its 2018/19 budget after auditors warned it could be unlawful.
More powers needed to unlock land for housing - LGA
Councils should be allowed to charge developers full council tax where land is left after securing planning permission, the Local Government Association (LGA) has argued.
Where next for Northants?
Simon Edwards looks at where next for Northamptonshire CC after it became the first authority in two decades to issue a S114 notice.
Porter: Play nicely or Government will impose reorganisation
The chairman of the Local Government Association, Lord Porter, has warned the sector to 'stop fighting and play nicely' or Whitehall will impose reorganisation.
Javid finds extra £166m in final settlement
Local government secretary Sajid Javid has found an additional £166m to ease spending pressures in social care and rural areas in the final 2018/19 settlement.