Housing
The search for answers on housing delivery
The consultation on the replacement to the New Homes Bonus does not shed any light on how the Government intends to resolve the tricky balancing act between growth incentives and local needs, says Adrian Jenkins.
Ban on bailiff evictions in England extended by six weeks
A ban on bailiff evictions has been extended until the end of March to protect renters during the current lockdown restrictions.
The practical difficulties of Scotland’s new short-term lets licensing regime
Stephen McGowan asks if Scotland’s new short-term lets licensing regime is a further load on local authorities.
Uncertain future for New Homes Bonus
Raising the baseline and withholding payments for councils without local plans are among a range of options in the Government’s consultation on the New Homes Bonus.
Confident about care
Hertfordshire CC’s new director of adult care services Chris Badger talks to Ann McGauran about investing in extra care housing, COVID’s legacy of loneliness, care market sustainability, and developing diverse teams.
Council to close housing company
Haringey LBC has announced it intends to insource its housing company.
Turning housing numbers into communities
The pandemic has shown that collaboration between county and district councils yields results, and they must also be capable of coming together to create the step change we need in how we turn housing numbers into communities, says Joanna Killian.
Disrepair and different tenures
Barrister Andrew Lane offers an overview of scenarios where the local authority freeholder is at risk of damages exposure.
Labour call for national cladding taskforce
Keir Starmer has called on the Government to ‘establish the full extent’ of the problem and prioritise works according to risk.
Mandarins told of planning overhaul ‘outrage’
The Planning White Paper came in for heavy criticism as two Marsham Street officials addressed an audience of local government members and officers.
Call for clarity on support for rough sleepers
A minister has been pressed to issue new guidance for councils on what support can be given to rough sleepers with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).
Walkley steps down from Homes England
Homes England chief executive Nick Walkley has announced he will step down at the end of next month.
Winning on social housing in Hull
The combination of austerity and welfare reform led Hull City Council to rethink its support for its social housing tenants. The end result has been an award winning service. The MJ reports.
Making the best of brownfield
When it comes to brownfield sites to build new homes on, there is no shortage of them, says Dr Malcolm Hockaday. But the data on where to find them is, at best, patchy and needs to be updated
Unearthing the success of heat pumps for high rise blocks
The safety and efficiency of tower blocks has come under intense scrutiny in recent years. Tim Woods explains what ENGIE UK is doing to support its clients to deliver safer homes
Alliance calls for a greener rethink to planning reforms
The Government has been urged to rethink its ‘damaging’ reforms to the planning system and put people, climate and nature at its heart by a coalition of 18 organisations.
Taxation tribulations for a post-COVID nation
Last weekend was the turn of policy ideas on council tax and stamp duty to be run anonymously in the Sunday papers, says Heather Jameson. 'But more intriguing was last week’s ten-minute rule Bill, calling for business rates to be scrapped.'
Hughes named new rough sleeping minister
Kelly Tolhurst stepped down from the role for family reasons after five months in the role.
A blueprint for locally-led green recovery
A coalition including councils, Ashden, ADEPT and others is arguing for five priorities for action to ensure the UK meets its 2050 net zero emissions target, says Cara Jenkinson.
Government urged to bring back Everyone In programme
The Government has been urged to ensure all rough sleepers are housed during the third national lockdown.
