Environment
Let the sun shine in
The Beach Boys’ Barbara Ann is a cheery slice of sunshine pop.
Too good to refuse
Birmingham City Council’s rubbish problems have hit the front pages in recent weeks.
Hounslow urged to review ‘risk-averse’ Lampton 360
Hounslow LBC is looking into concerns that one of its arms-length organisations is too ‘risk-averse’.
Council's environmental contract under review
Great Yarmouth BC has revealed it is reviewing its environmental services contract with Norfolk CC’s wholly-owned company, Norse Group.
Birmingham bin strike back on after Clancy backtrack
Trade union Unite has decided to go back on strike in its long-running dispute with Birmingham City Council after senior councillors heeded warnings from senior officers.
Outsourcing blamed for bin complaints increase
The outsourcing of waste collections by councils in England has led to an increase in the number of complaints being upheld by the ombudsman, a new report has warned today.
Council wins court battle days after Gove intervention
Sheffield City Council has won a court battle against people protesting about its tree-felling programme.
Sheffield waste management talks continue
Discussions to extend a waste management contract are ongoing between Sheffield City Council and waste management firm Veolia, six months after the council voted to end the contract.
4 wheel drive woman
Gosh, Tarquin, mummy just has so much to do. I’m sure everything used to go quiet in August, and we all toddled off to Tuscany for a month to drink Prosecco.
Council ends partnership with environmental services firm
Maidstone BC has ended its partnership with an environmental services firm which was found to have offered bonuses to its officers for issuing fines.
Stretched councils criticise ministers for 'passing buck' on air quality
Council directors have piled in on the Government’s Clean Air Strategy, claiming ministers have shifted the burden of implementing ‘politically unpalatable’ measures onto overstretched authorities.
Green dreams axed
For around 200,000 proud townsfolk across this sceptred isle, the Britain in Bloom competition is an exercise in green-fingered local pride.
Wild waste
Judging from a list of the weirdest things Enfield LBC’s waste management teams have found in recycling bins, residents enjoy dark humour and wild parties.
Just spinnin’ around
What should local government do with the tonnes of those pesky fidget spinners that parents have discovered are already ‘so last year’?
Bin there, done that
Diary likes to think it has its metaphorical finger on the pulse of current and emerging trends.
Call for responsible timber sourcing
The Timber Trade Federation (TTF) has called on councils to source timber responsibly as they follow-up on election promises on housing and development.
LGPS urged to ditch fossil fuel investments
Trade union Unison has urged local government’s pension scheme to disinvest from fossil fuels despite president Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate change agreement.
Some grave decisions
Council communications chiefs have to sell all manner of events.
AWM is top bidder for £14m waste deal
Bradford City Council has named Associated Waste Management (AWM) as the preferred bidder for a potential £14m, 12-year waste treatment contract.
Malnourished things grow very slowly
Paul O'Brien says we must not starve out places of the things that make them desirable and habitable.