Legal
Lambeth to reimburse £27m of water bills
The decision follows years of legal wrangling over charges collected on behalf of Thames Water.
Council chief’s treatment was ‘appalling and inhuman’
The leader of York City Council has survived a no confidence vote following criticism over the departure of its former chief executive.
Forcing councils to physically meet risks ‘democratic deficit’
Councils in England should be ‘trusted to continue to deliver virtual meetings successfully as they are in Wales and Scotland,’ says chair of ADSO John Austin.
Employment law: a post lockdown view
As lockdown eases, lawyer Louise Carr takes a look at the issues new ways of working raise for local government employers, including ensuring consistency of opportunity.
ADSO vows to fight on in virtual meeting battle
Election experts have vowed to carry on fighting to give councils the choice to hold meetings virtually despite last week’s legal ruling.
Parish wins legal challenge against county
Norfolk CC has lost a legal challenge mounted by a parish council after its cabinet acted 'unlawfully' over a planning application.
Council claims sacked director was not performing
Senior officers at a London borough accused of unfairly dismissing a director have told a tribunal she was sacked after failing to meet performance targets.
Virtual meeting challenge dismissed by High Court
Councils will not be able to continue to meet virtually after 6 May after High Court judges dismissed a legal challenge by local government.
Tackling COVID’s hit on leisure
Léonie Cowen takes a look at the commercial and legal issues COVID-19 has caused for local authority indoor leisure.
Council had 'truly toxic atmosphere,' tribunal hears
The Hammersmith & Fulham LBC director at the centre of an unfair dismissal claim had been working in a ‘truly toxic atmosphere,’ an employment tribunal has heard.
Newham to appeal LIBOR loan ruling
Newham LBC has been granted permission to appeal after a bid to sue Barclays over loans was rejected by a High Court judge.
New chief to handle response to damning judgement
Herefordshire Council’s incoming chief executive will personally lead improvement after a judge said there had been ‘longstanding failures’ in the authority’s children’s services.
Birmingham to challenge unlawful temporary housing ruling
Birmingham City Council says it will appeal against a High Court ruling that the local authority was operating an unlawful system for providing temporary accommodation.
Reality of virtual
Diary has been fascinated to watch the transition to virtual council meetings over the last year or so.
Grenfell director dismissed while on sick leave, tribunal hears
A council director who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after working on the Grenfell Tower response was dismissed while on sick leave, an employment tribunal has heard.
Judge accuses council of 'longstanding failures'
A council accused by a judge of ‘longstanding failures’ in its children’s services has admitted its actions were ‘indefensible’.
The case for remote meetings to continue
The Local Government Act 1972 permits council meetings to take place virtually, argue John Austin and Quentin Baker. A change in the law is not required, in their view.
Storm brewing over exit payment data demands
Government demands for details of senior staff pay-offs have been branded ‘particularly pernicious’ and unfairly aimed at local government.
How to help statutory officers do their duties
Clare Hardy looks at how councils can involve statutory officers effectively in decision-making and help avoid the need to issue section 5 or section 114 reports.
A philosophy of complaints
Nick Graham looks at whether ‘honour cultures’ might teach us more effective methods of resolving disputes – and outlines practical ways to foster an honour-based approach.
