Gary Porter
EXCLUSIVE: Fight for oversight
Brokenshire moves to impose fresh conditions on ‘top slice’ cash
Fresh push on apprenticeship levy reforms
A broad coalition to push for more flexibility in the apprenticeship levy could be formed to mark the two-year anniversary of the reforms, The MJ understands.
Porter: Grenfell is sector's biggest shame
The chairman of the Local Government Association (LGA) has expressed his regret at being unable to make enough of a difference after the Grenfell Tower fire.
Standards bearers
The local standards regime for councils has faced allegations that it is insufficiently robust. Will the 20th report from the Committee on Standards in Public Life on ethics in local government lead to positive change? Heather Jameson reports
The camera never lies
Politicians go to great lengths to portray the best possible public image while on the campaign trail.
Northamptonshire reorganisation 'driven by politicians' - Lord Porter
The proposed unitarisation of Northamptonshire has been questioned by Local Government Association (LGA) chair, Lord Porter.
Porter: My devolution regrets
Failing to do more devolution is Lord Porter’s biggest regret in his career as Local Government Association chairman so far, he told the County Councils' Network conference today.
Budget 2018: Rates cut for high street
Business rates for small high street retailers in England will be cut by one-third over the next two years, the chancellor Philip Hammond has announced.
Brokenshire: 10,000 homes a year
Councils will be able to build up to 10,000 homes a year after prime minister Theresa May scrapped the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrowing cap, the housing secretary has said.
EXCLUSIVE: Crunch time for municipal bonds
The struggling Municipal Bonds Agency has pleaded for councils to ‘pull behind us’ amid warnings it could run out of money before issuing a bond.
Done for battery?
When your local police and crime commissioner (PCC) contacts you to discuss charges, usually you’d be in a spot of bother.
Sunak: Some councils will be unhappy after fair funding
Local government minister Rishi Sunak has said he ‘cannot guarantee’ all councils will be happy after the fair funding review.
Brokenshire's 10 minutes of fame
Newish communities secretary James Brokenshire was treated a bit like a celebrity at his first Local Government Association (LGA) conference.
LGA warns of £7.8bn funding gap
Council services face a £7.8bn funding gap by 2025 - leaving many ‘on the brink of collapse’ ahead of a ‘make or break’ Spending Review - the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Jamieson beats Simmonds to top Tory role
Central Bedfordshire Council leader James Jamieson has been elected the new leader of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Conservative Group.
Government waters down devolution framework plans
Hopes are fading that the Government’s devolution framework will jump-start the agenda when it is finally published.
Standards split between officers and councillors
Councillors and officers are divided over the future of the standards regime, with politicians backing the existing approach dismissed as a ‘toothless tiger’ by officials.
EXCLUSIVE: Ministry considers Right to Buy rule change
Ministers are considering changes to the use of Right to Buy (RtB) receipts amid claims current rules are a ‘shameful cash grab’ by the Government.
Hackitt proposes extra council duties post-Grenfell
Councils could be handed extra responsibilities for monitoring the safety of higher-risk residential buildings (HRRBs) under reforms proposed by an independent report published today.
Sector backs MPs' business rates call
Local government bodies have thrown their support behind a call by MPs for retained business rates to be treated as extra income.