Title

LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Government intervention inquiry launched

An inquiry into the government interventions at Tower Hamlets LBC and Rotherham MBC has been launched.

An inquiry into the government interventions at Tower Hamlets LBC and Rotherham MBC has been launched.

The communities and local government will investigate how effective the government takeovers were following allegations of corruption in Tower Hamlets and the child sexual exploitation scandal in Rotherham.

It will examine how power was handed back to the local authorities and what lessons can be identified for future interventions.

Chair of the committee, Clive Betts, said: ‘Seizing control of a local authority's powers is an extremely serious step for any government to take.

‘We will look very carefully to see if this has been done effectively in Tower Hamlets and Rotherham, and explore the efforts being made to return democratic control to the two communities.'

The committee will question commissioners and councillors at both councils, and has also invited written submissions.

LOCAL DEMOCRACY

No need for local government reorganisation

By Jens Gemmel von Döllinger | 24 September 2026

Reorganisation may be paused, but councils can still pursue reform by redesigning services around people, place and demand, says Jens Gemmel von Döllinger.

LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Radical leader

By Ann McGauran | 24 September 2026

Anna Randle talks to Ann McGauran about her long commitment to local government reform working with communities and her excitement about the Burnham agenda.

LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Perspectives on safeguarding

By Melanie Williams | 24 September 2026

National safeguarding reform matters, but preventing harm requires tackling poverty, housing and wider inequalities, says Melanie Williams.

LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Defining the 2030 council comms leadership challenge

By Andrea Newman | 23 September 2026

Future communications leaders in local government will need greater judgement, influence, resilience and strategic authority, explains Andrea Newman.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman

-->