Housing
Government announces ‘biggest changes to building safety in a generation’
The Government has announced steps to further reform building safety, including mandatory sprinkler systems and consistent wayfinding signage in all new high-rise blocks over 11 metres tall.
Keeping tenants and leaseholders safe – the immediate challenge
The challenge of the new building safety regime will be best met by involving all council departments and by close engagement with tenants and stakeholders, say Ian Doolittle and Rebecca Rees.
Safeguarding Bristol’s rough sleepers during the pandemic
Marvin Rees says Bristol City Council has successfully placed the majority of rough sleepers in hotels and all shelter occupants are in alternative accommodation, while negotiations continue with hotel chains for a further supply of rooms.
Councils are at the heart of this fight
Councils’ understanding of the communities they serve and ability to disseminate information to residents, including ‘at risk’ groups, will be universally relied upon over the coming weeks, writes Sir Bob Neill.
Asylum housing to be sourced outside of dispersal scheme
Asylum seekers could be housed in local authority areas that have not signed up to the dispersal scheme.
Gateshead to look at bring housing back in-house
Gateshead MBC is to formally consult on proposals to bring its housing services back in-house.
Manchester to create housing company
Manchester City Council is to create its own development company in a bid to meet ambitious housing targets.
Riverside are supporting the most vulnerable in our communities
Social housing providers Riverside are working to ensure the 9,000 people they support have access to the help they need deal to with the additional risks they face from COVID-19, says Lee Buss.
Coronavirus forces developers to down tools
Infrastructure and development projects are beginning to stall as construction firms cease work in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
EXCLUSIVE: Coronavirus hubs must be ready to step in if system fails - Jenrick
The network of hubs being created to support people at very high risk amid the coronavirus crisis must be ready to help with crucial deliveries, local government secretary Robert Jenrick has said.
Government will do 'whatever is necessary' to support councils' coronavirus response
The Government stands ready to ‘do whatever is necessary’ to support councils in their response to coronavirus, local government minister Luke Hall has said.
Salford is the greenest council in 2020 Thriving Places Index
Salford City Council has emerged as the greenest in an index of quality of life in 363 local authorities in England and Wales.
Watchdog scolds developer over £94m accounting error
Galliford Try overstated its assets by tens of millions via a number of errors.
Jenrick outlines new proposals to reform planning process
Developers will be able to demolish vacant buildings and turn them into new homes more quickly under new proposals published today.
A Budget for growth – so where is the catch?
Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Budget may not have delivered much for council revenues – for adult or children’s social care – but it is squarely aimed at boosting productivity and growth, writes Heather Jameson.
Budget 2020: £1bn building safety fund to remove unsafe cladding
A new £1bn fund to remove unsafe cladding from high-rise buildings has been unveiled today by the chancellor.
Government 'obsession with ownership' hampers council housebuilding
Calls for the reform of Right to Buy have been reinforced by research claiming social housing pressures are hampering efforts to tackle homelessness.
Social housing spending cut by £28bn
The chancellor has been urged to commit funds to social housing in this week’s Budget.
Bristol to strike homes deal with Legal & General
Senior councillors gave the green light to sell council-owned land and purchase homes once the site is developed.
Select committee launches cladding inquiry
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has launched a new inquiry into the pace of removing dangerous cladding from high-risk buildings across the country.
