Legal
Councillor jailed over threats to chief executive
Peter Little pleaded guilty to sending an offensive message to Allerdale chief executive officer Andrew Seekings.
To dismiss or not?
Louise Carr examines the fairness of dismissing employees facing criminal, safeguarding and other investigations, and says there is no easy approach other than looking carefully at the facts.
Council has 'made progress' since chief's departure
South Ribble BC has ‘made progress to address historic governance issues and challenges,’ according to a Local Government Association (LGA) peer review.
Willis to leave troubled Thanet
Troubled Thanet DC has struck a deal that will lead to the departure of its deputy chief executive and Section 151 officer Tim Willis.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils brace themselves for local government exit pay cap
Councils are bracing themselves for the return of exit pay cap proposals as Whitehall officials draw up plans specific to the sector.
EXCLUSIVE: Section 114 notice floated for Pembrokeshire after 'unlawful' decision
Pembrokeshire CC councillors have been advised a Section 114 should be issued following an ‘unlawful’ £95,000 settlement agreement with former chief executive Ian Westley.
Thanet issued with rare Section 24
‘Serious concerns about the ability of senior officers to work together’ has led to cash-strapped Thanet DC being issued with a rare Section 24 notice.
Councillors to discuss 'unlawful' payoff to ex-chief behind closed doors
Pembrokeshire CC councillors are expected to discuss an ‘unlawful’ decision to strike a £95,000 settlement agreement with former chief executive Ian Westley behind closed doors.
Westminster wins legal battle with Holyrood
The UK Government has blocked two Scottish Parliament Bills after winning the backing of the Supreme Court.
Respect, Standards and Freedom of Expression
In the main, councillors should not fear being disciplined or called to account for their sincerely held views, passionately expressed, says Nick Graham.
Overprotected? – powers of attorney and deputyship
Britney Spears’ conservatorship has thrown the spotlight on the powers of the court to impose restrictions on vulnerable people. Saara Idelbi argues that councils are likely to have the best view of the safeguarding actions needed.
Council accuses government of ignoring planned legal challenge
Blackpool Council has accused the Home Office and Serco of ignoring a planned legal challenge over the placement of 150 asylum seekers at a hotel.
Government brushes off reorganisation challenge
The Government is believed to have brushed off a legal challenge from Cumbria CC to reorganisation plans for the county.
Chief and leader at odds over government intervention request
Tensions between Thanet DC’s chief executive and leader have erupted into the open after the latter asked the Government to intervene in the council.
Councils prepare for legal battle with Home Office
Seven authorities have launched proceedings against the Home Office over the asylum dispersal scheme.
Coventry to take legal action over asylum
A council has been forced to take legal action over the Government’s use of hotels for asylum seekers despite previously pledging to offer refugees sanctuary.
Ice scream
An ice cream van has been slapped with a ban from a residential street by East Suffolk Council. What was the heinous crime, you may ask?
Governance under the spotlight
More than ever, councils need to have the right systems of finance and governance in place. The role of the in-house monitoring officer in particular is one that has to change, says Seb Lowe.
Avoiding another Lambeth
Richard Scorer says the obvious question hanging over the report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse on the experiences of children in Lambeth’s care is are children safe in local authority care today?
High Court grants permission for levelling up fund legal challenge
The High Court has granted permission for a legal challenge to the levelling up fund after campaigners accused the Government of using it for political purposes.
