House of Lords
Peers call for action on private ownership of children’s homes
Peers have called for action to tackle private companies’ dominance of the children’s homes market.
Titles may come in peers
Local government peers are like buses.
Rule of 72
There are currently – count ’em’ – 72 vice-presidents of the Local Government Association.
The peer challenge
A reformed House of Lords must imply a new role in Parliament for local government leaders, says Michael Burton.
Voter ID legal challenge launched
A legal challenge has been mounted against the Government over voter ID requirements for elections.
Senior Lib Dem calls for permitted development rights review
A review of permitted development rights (PDRs) should take place before reforms are introduced to make it easier to convert commercial buildings or units into homes, a senior Lib Dem has said.
Further planning reforms on way, says Gove
Empty shops could be quickly converted into homes and developers given fresh incentives to build on brownfield sites under ministers’ latest plans to expedite housebuilding.
Local government figures made peers
Local government has been recognised in the latest round of peerages, with two senior figures heading to the House of Lords.
New nutrient neutrality laws shelved
Plans to introduce new laws on nutrient neutrality have been shelved by the Government.
Storming statement
Simon Hoare may have only been in the role of local government minister for a few weeks, but he has already been grilled by a Lords select committee on elections.
Minister shrugs off election concerns
Fears that pressures on elections officials will leave them overwhelmed at the next General Election have been dismissed by local government minister Simon Hoare.
Housing minister among casualties of Sunak reshuffle
The UK will have its 16th housing minister in 12 years after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s sweeping reshuffle affected the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Watchdog warning over elections
It could take a generation to restore public confidence if there are major problems at the next General Election including with voter ID, a watchdog has warned.
The next level begins
Last month saw the Levelling Up Act receive Royal Assent, but what will that actually mean for local authorities? Martin Ford takes a look.
Levelling up Bill to become law
Royal Assent is scheduled to take place later today, when the Bill will officially become an Act of Parliament.
Tory backbenchers pile pressure on Government
The Government has withstood pressure from its own MPs to allow councils to hold remote meetings.
'Devolution hopes rest on combined authorities'
Combined authorities represent the greatest hope for devolution in England, according to a new report based on interviews with 95 former ministers and Whitehall mandarins.
Government blocks remote meetings
A levelling up Bill amendment that would have enabled virtual council meetings has been stripped out by the Government.
Boroughs to get opt out from future ULEZ-style schemes
Legislation that will enable London boroughs to opt out of future road charging schemes has been welcomed as ‘an enormous step forwards in local democracy’.
Inquiries ad infinitum
Labour’s Lord Carter of Coles has been a life peer for almost 20 years so knows how politics works.
