Funding
Solace Summit: Treasury concerns prompted borrowing rates hike
A hike in borrowing rates for councils was made due to ‘concerns’ over local government spending, the sector’s top Whitehall official has confirmed.
Councils should get involved in world's largest anti-homelessness fundraiser
Former homelessness tsar Dame Louise Casey urges councils to support The World’s Big Sleep Out on Saturday December 7.
Solace Summit: loans board rate hike 'an attempt to change behaviour' of councils
The Treasury’s decision to increase the interest rate of the Public Work’s Loans Board (PWLB) was a blatant attempt to alter local authority spending behaviour, a senior economist has claimed.
London trails East Midlands and South West in schools funding increases
The East Midlands and South West have emerged as the biggest winners from education budgets announced this week.
B&B costs councils £93m a year, says LGA
Councils are spending over £93m a year on bed and breakfast accommodation, a figure which is nine times the amount in 2010 according to analysis by the Local Government Association.
Our aim is to ensure no-one sleeps rough in Oxford
On World Homelessness Day, Linda Smith explains Oxford City Council's partnership approach to ensuring no one should have to sleep rough on the streets of the city.
Deadlock broken in Isle of Wight care fees dispute
A care provider has withdrawn 12 eviction notices issued following a dispute with Isle of Wight Council.
Care services face five-day delays for medicines under no-deal Brexit
The Government’s report on readiness for a no-deal Brexit has warned adult care services to prepare for delays in receiving medical products.
Putting our finances on a secure footing
Andrew Burns examines how councils can ensure financial sustainability and put local services on the right path.
Pessimism growing due to care funding uncertainty
Health leaders have warned that under-funding of social care and public health services could leave them unable to deliver the Government’s NHS long term plan.
Growing the grassroots - putting communities at the heart of place-making
Graham Duxbury of Groundwork says a new survey of community groups reveals the gap is growing between local need and the capacity to respond.
Consultation opens on local government finance settlement
Consultation on the local government finance settlement for 2020/21 has been opened by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Prospering the Warrington way
In the wake of austerity, Warrington’s commercial strategy – mixing small investment with smart aquisitions – is proving a financial success. Dan Peters reports.
The war against County Lines
Paul Marinko looks at how local authorities are tackling the scourge of County Lines – and finds that the dexterity of gangs in adapting to agencies’ responses makes a ‘monumental task’ even harder.
Social care funding is still a bridge too far
Social care is still the issue that threatens to derail the Conservative party's forthcoming election campaign, just as it did in 2017, says Michael Burton
Croydon facing £9m asylum funding shortfall
Croydon LBC is heading for another financial hit this year as a result of a funding shortfall to support unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC).
Support for outreach heroes
Nickie Aiken outlines the key aims of a campaign that seeks to make it easy to donate to a ‘hidden network of heroes’ in a targeted way, helping rough sleepers in Westminster
Amid Brexit confusion, what about LEPs?
Would it not be better to build strong, accountable devolution across the whole country and hand powers, responsibilities and funding to the combined authorities, asks Heather Jameson.
Growth in council loans and commercialism boosts Arlingclose profits
Financial consultancy Arlingclose has reported a growth in profits, boosted by councils’ ‘overtly commercial agenda’.
Minister handed Brexit cash demand in Portsmouth
Portsmouth has demanded more funds to cover Brexit costs during a ministerial visit.