Funding
The stage is set for districts to demonstrate their key role
We hope ministers take away the message from conference next month that it is districts, backed by long-term sustainable funding, who are best placed to turn the new decade into the roaring twenties, says Cllr John Fuller.
Doubts cast over council's £100m investment plan
West Berkshire Council is to review its property investment strategy.
Outsourcing boosts recycling rates - study
Outsourced waste collections are achieving higher recycling rates than in-house services, new research has suggested.
LGA to hit back at proposed council tax restrictions
The Local Government Association (LGA) is to fight proposals to restrict council tax rises to 2% without the holding of a referendum.
EXCLUSIVE: Government rejects pleas for flood recovery funding flexibility
The Government has rejected councils’ appeals for more flexibility over funding for flood recovery.
Funding communities at the coal face
Areas like Bassetlaw need a change of approach by Government that delivers investment in hard-to-measure community assets, argues David Armiger.
A gap that will prove hard to close
Dan Peters investigates the scale of the funding challenge faced by the 32 councils told by the Government to bring their SEND funding deficit back into balance within three years.
‘We must do more than tinker at the edges’
The system needs a truly sustainable multi-year financial settlement to ensure children and young people with SEND get the support they need, argues Phil Norrey.
The sector cannot simply make blank cheque arguments
It will be crucial to show the new Government that investing in local government will provide a return for ministers, says Simon Edwards.
LGA calls for seat at table in children's care review
The Local Government Association (LGA) is pressing for close involvement in the Government’s pledged children’s social care review.
Reorganisation in Somerset would 'cut waste and save money'
A single, unitary authority for Somerset would deliver a predicted saving of £35-£47m, according to research released today.
Business rates retention pilots come under fire
Piloting of business rates retention has been criticised by local government treasurers.
Clear leadership from the government is needed on public health
Wellbeing should be built into the fabric of Government decision-making when it comes to both policy-making and funding allocation - and it is time for a multi-year funding settlement for public health, says Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy.
Stoke-on-Trent warns of job cuts
The council is aiming to make £9.2m of savings next year.
Family Hubs – a manifesto promise that could be the future of public services
For Family Hubs to work they will need two things – freedom and funding – and they need to be allowed to grow organically in a way that works for local communities, says Andrew Laird.
Annual local government procurement tops £23bn
Local government procurement showed no signs of flagging in 2019 as spending increased.
Councils share in £4m fund to tackle rogue landlords
Councils will use the funding to launch new projects tackling inadequate and unsafe private rented housing.
LGA care talks offer rejected
The Government has declined an offer by the Local Government Association (LGA) to host talks on how to fund social care.
It’s time to break down that fourth wall
Michael Bracey says it is ‘very welcome to see an inspectorate being really clear about the impact low funding levels almost inevitably will have on services and their capacity to improve as well as meet rising levels of demand’.
Council to pilot climate change bond
A council is to launch a climate change bond to fund green initiatives.