LGA
Spending report attacks 'unambitious' ministry
Marsham Street has ‘an unacceptable lack of ambition’ for local government – with no aspiration for improving finances beyond merely ‘coping’, according to a scathing Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report.
125 years and the issues remain the same
Spending time poring over issues of The MJ (Municipal Journal) from the past 125 years – as you will see from this week's supplement – it is remarkable how much things change and yet they remain the same, says Heather Jameson
Nine out of ten councils blow the budget on children's care
Nearly ninety percent of councils overspent on children’s social care last year, according to figures released by the Local Government Association.
Northamptonshire reorganisation 'driven by politicians' - Lord Porter
The proposed unitarisation of Northamptonshire has been questioned by Local Government Association (LGA) chair, Lord Porter.
A developing story
Heather Jameson talks to chief executive of Homes England Nick Walkley about supporting house building and working with the LGA to regrow capacity within local government.
Warnings of 'bun fights' and help offered to Hancock at conference
Funding woes dominated the opening speeches of the National Children and Adults Services conference in Manchester.
Kid’s care on a cliff edge
Following a report by ADCS that initial contacts made to children’s social care have increased by 78% over 10 years, Martin Ford finds out how council specialists are addressing the pressures to keep delivering as budgets dwindle
More than 1,000 children referred to social services every day
Nearly 400,000 children in England were referred and assessed as in need of social services support in 2017/18, according to the latest figures.
Surge in child protection plans pushing services to ‘tipping point’
Children’s services are approaching the point of crisis following a jump in demand, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Breaking the barriers
As Jo Miller’s presidency of SOLACE with its focus on equalities and women’s rights ends, Jessica Crowe reports from a recent workshop on the best way to continue making progress
One in 5 councils affected by China's waste ban
One in five councils have been directly affected by China’s ban on imported waste over the past year, according to a new survey.
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.
Don’t overlook the power of peer reviews
Heather Jameson says it is clear from Liverpool City Council's peer review that members are not backward in giving their views – and it seems the council was strident in its approach to the LGA’s corporate peer challenge.
North Yorkshire warns of social care's 'existential crisis'
North Yorkshire CC has backed calls for a social care premium to resolve the ‘existential crisis’ facing the sector.
One conference with two messages
Two events run simultaneously at the Conservative Party conference, says Michael Burton. At the main hall plenaries 'all is rosy' , while the 'real world' makes an appearance at the 300 or so fringe sessions.
Council housing borrowing cap axed
The cap on council borrowing for housebuilding will be scrapped, the Prime Minister has announced.
Council 'devastated' by death of leader
A council leader and regional LGA vice chair has died.
LGA shows impact of Government cuts in Budget plea
Local government leaders are ramping up the pressure on ministers to drop planned cuts in support for the sector or face more councils facing Northamptonshire-style crises.
LGA's pre-Budget play in war against austerity
Smith Square has begun drawing local government’s battle lines as chancellor Phillip Hammond comes under renewed pressure to loosen his grip on council finances.
Adult social care is 'single largest problem facing local government' - DCN
The adult social care crisis is the ‘single largest problem facing local government services and their financial sustainability’, according to the District Councils’ Network (DCN).