LGA
Councils warn of 'housebuilding fiasco'
New government housing targets will lead to a north-south divide in England, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Borrowing to benefit the environment
West Berkshire Council has launched the UK’s first Community Municipal Investment, enabling access to cheaper borrowing rates for environmentally focused projects. Joseph Holmes explains.
Social care directors ‘envious’ of NHS
A representative of local government social care directors has told MPs they view better-resourced health counterparts with ‘envy’.
Now is not the time to downgrade council chiefs
York's top team reorganisation could end up being a case of putting cost before value, says Heather Jameson. 'Now is not the time to downgrade the chief executive, it is time to celebrate what an extraordinary job they do', she adds.
Making the most of remote working
Solace's Karishma Vakta-Smith looks at the impact of remote working, and what it means for the future of recruitment.
Taxing questions on a flawed system
The Treasury announced a call for evidence on business rates. Martin Ford speaks to experts about the system’s flaws, and whether the Government can enact radical change in a time of coronavirus and Brexit.
Hancock under pressure on anti-obesity plans following PHE closure
Health secretary Matt Hancock is under growing pressure today to say who will take responsibility for the national fight against obesity following his decision to close down Public Health England (PHE).
LGA code of conduct under fire
A model code of conduct for councillors put forward by the Local Government Association (LGA) lacks teeth, according to bodies representing officers.
Building a way ahead for our young people
Lord Gary Porter says he is supporting Future First’s alumni networks crowdfunder because he wants young people to have the chance to build their lives on the kind of support he got from the LGA when he entered politics.
A Sisyphean task for health and social care?
Magda Stainton at Veredus looks at the issue of health and social care integration, and ponders if things would improve under ownership of the NHS.
On solid ground?
Despite some interesting proposals, Sir Bob Neill has a mixed reaction to the latest planning White Paper and fears other areas of the housebuilding process need assessing first.
Council test and trace teams to be rolled out
Local coronavirus test and trace teams are to be rolled out to all upper-tier English councils.
Councils ask for coronavirus licensing powers
A call has been made for public health issues to be incorporated into licensing laws.
Reforms to fast-track local plans
Councils will face sanctions unless they draw-up local plans within 30 months under government proposals to overhaul the planning system.
Planning shakeup to ‘sideline’ councils
Councils have warned they will be ‘sidelined’ by new planning regulations to be unveiled this week.
What’s the recovery position?
The chancellor has opened the door to a less generous funding settlement for public services, but will he end up turning his back on a slash-and-burn approach? Martin Ford reports.
Government launches Spending Review
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has warned of ‘tough choices’ as he launched the Comprehensive Spending Review today.
Enjoy summer as it’s not looking good for the rest of the year
The Government seems to have fallen in love with the idea of big unitary councils and elected mayors, says Paul Wheeler. But this enthusiasm for re-organisation is grim news for the multitude of mainly Conservative district councils, he adds.
Give us the fiscal tools to finish the recovery job
Fiscal devo should work in England to boost growth, placemaking and social wellbeing as it does in Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, says Jonathan Werran.
Let’s not paper over the cracks
Nathan Elvery examines the impact of spending cuts on councils and communities over a decade and highlights that they are dealing with COVID-19 while balanced on a precarious cliff edge.
