Environment
Tackling Climate Change: Mission Impossible or a New Hope?
The scale of the task may be enormous, but the pandemic can be the driver for radical change in business delivery - with climate friendly solutions at the forefront of our thinking, says Karen Whelan.
Sunak set to unveil green investment plans
Plans to rebuild the economy with green investment are set to be launched by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in his summer statement tomorrow.
Walking and cycling plea to avoid 'car-mageddon'
A senior councillor has warned against a ‘car-mageddon’ recovery post-lockdown as he urged the sector to invest in walking and cycling.
Clapping leaves gulls flapping
Clapping for carers every Thursday night is important n’all that but Worcester City Council has found it brings another bonus.
Council approves UK's first community municipal investment
West Berkshire Council voted last night to approve the UK’s first community municipal investment (CMI).
Most councils still providing normal waste collections, survey reveals
The majority of councils have been able to provide a normal waste and recycling collection service, a new survey has revealed.
EXCLUSIVE: Ministry to look at easing sector burdens
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials have said they will look at further easing the burdens on the sector amid the coronavirus crisis.
Firms say government needs to do more
Key firms providing services to councils have welcomed measures to mitigate the damaging effects of the Covid-19 crisis but said more needs to be done.
Salford is the greenest council in 2020 Thriving Places Index
Salford City Council has emerged as the greenest in an index of quality of life in 363 local authorities in England and Wales.
Serco strike action averted
Strike action by refuse workers in Sandwell has been averted after Serco withdrew planned changes to collections.
We need to invest in social infrastructure to tackle health inequality
Writing on Social Prescribing Day, Fay Holland says we need to invest in public health budgets and services if we are to strengthen the social infrastructure of communities.
Climate emergency: adaptation
Councils must lead the development of localised climate change adaption and resilience, through both action and policy, says Jo Wall of Local Partnerships.
Recycling driving Biffa profits
Waste contractor Biffa is expecting strong results this year thanks to its recycling operations.
Climate emergency: the role of renewables
Many councils are developing or buying solar farms of their own. If successful this can cut carbon and emissions, and produce a good income through sound and ethical commercial ventures, says Jo Wall.
Getting to Zero
Programme director for Local Partnerships Rachel Toresen-Owuor says strong leadership is essential if a new climate-conscious focus for developing projects is going to permeate to the core of the local authority.
Some local lessons from the Far East
Heather Jameson finds that while local government officers in Japan are grappling with similar challenges to those in the UK, there is one stark difference – Japanese authorities have the power to make their own laws and raise their own taxes.
Engie to lead zero-carbon pilot in Staffordshire
A consortium is to test a system for lowering energy usage and carbon emissions on a town-wide scale in Rugeley.
There’s no quick fix to tackling climate change
If local councils are to capitalise on the zeitgeist of the climate emergency then they need some serious money and new powers – and time is of the essence, argues Paul O’Brien.
Jenrick activates Bellwin after storm
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has activated the Bellwin scheme, providing emergency financial assistance for councils affected by Storm Dennis.
Uncertainty puts East Lothian procurement on hold
Uncertainty over the future of waste and recycling in Scotland has led to East Lothian Council pushing back procurement of a contract for bin collections.
