County Councils Network
Kent’s very own powerhouse
Cllr Paul Carter has stepped down as leader of Kent CC. Now he plans to apply his energies to local care and the vocational agenda, including apprenticeships. Ann McGauran reports
Devolution, Brexit and health pledge tops agenda
Heather Jameson says the Queen’s Speech could be the shortest-lived legislative plan in history – but if the Government has time to deliver just some of the measures there is lots of legislation for local government
EXCLUSIVE: Core Cities' £28bn Shared Prosperity Fund warning
The proposed UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) must be worth at least £28bn over seven years if the UK is to deliver its devolved policy objectives, a leading sector body has warned.
Government remains open to non-mayoral devo deals
The Government remains open to striking devolution deals without the requirement for a directly-elected mayor, The MJ understands.
A journey starts with a single step
Places like North Yorkshire have never been well funded by governments, according to Richard Webb. He says we will need to see the final departmental settlement detail of the spending round announcements, but at first look the news is very welcome.
Paul Carter to step down as leader of Kent
The leader of Kent CC, Cllr Paul Carter, has announced he is to step down after 14 years in the role.
£5.2bn and counting
The Local Government Association (LGA) will argue the sector faces a £5.2bn funding gap in 2020/21 despite believing the figure is an underestimate, The MJ understands.
Appointment of new Treasury ministers bodes well for the sector
Chairman-elect of the County Councils Network David Williams reviews the organisation's key asks in its Five-Point Plan for Local Government - and says Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid's new roles in the Treasury are good news for councils.
Taking the next steps
Cllr David Williams steps into the role of new chairman of the County Councils’ Network in September. Ann McGauran talks to him about his priorities and plans.
Road to recovery
Dan Peters assesses the options available to local authorities as many begin to struggle with schools grant deficit recovery plans.
Calls for new PM to make council funding 'immediate domestic priority'
Calls have been made for the next Prime Minister to make council funding his 'immediate domestic priority' after Boris Johnson won the Conservative Party leadership contest.
County Councils Network announces next chairman
The County Councils Network (CCN) has announced that Hertfordshire CC leader Cllr David Williams will be its next chairman.
A case of cuts and a confidence crisis
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services’ annual survey reveals a pessimistic sector. Martin Ford reports.
Pressures eroding protection of adult care budgets, survey finds
Councils are struggling to protect social care budgets, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services’ (ADASS) annual budget survey has suggested.
Shared ambitions
Colleagues shared their ‘passion, energy and commitment’ at the Association of County Chief Executives spring seminar despite uncertainty in virtually every local government agenda, says Anthony May
Striking the right balance
The County Councils' Network's journey over the past six years has shown just how crucial striking the right balance is to being an effective special interest group, says James Maker
United view?
Chair of the LGA Lord Porter says the smaller unitaries have ‘probably a larger number of councils close to the edge’. But as Ann McGauran reports, it may be hard to generalise about the financial health of this ‘disparate group’.
'You can't cut what you don't have!'
We need the sort of detailed analysis carried out by PriceWaterhouseCoopers for the County Councils ' Network, which uses evidence to project 'spending need' over the period 2015-25, says Richard Flinton.
What is local government really worth?
Does all the ambition for local government come down to core service and self-sustainability, asks Heather Jameson. Where is the full funding, fiscal freedom and the local discretion?
Reviews are a chance for us to come together
The County Councils’ Network (CCN) has released a new report on councils’ finances. Simon Edwards says it shows all councils need a significant injection of resources, and that its members face ‘a particularly severe set of circumstances’.