Legislation
Government defeated over council involvement in skills plans
The Government has lost a House of Lords vote after peers demanded councils should be involved in drawing up local skills improvement plans.
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.
Scotland follows Wales in opposing controversial Elections Bill
The Scottish Government has paved the way for Scotland to follow Wales in refusing to recommend consent for the UK Elections Bill.
EXCLUSIVE: Porter intervention in waste plans
A former Conservative chairman of the Local Government Association has angrily criticised the Environment Bill’s waste reform proposals.
System reset required: go to settings
As the APSE Local Government Commission 2030 launches its findings, Paul O’Brien says we need a big bang reset to resolve the issues facing local authorities.
Commission calls for funding reset
Local government needs a ‘funding floor’ at an agreed percentage of national income, a report on the future of the sector has said.
Voter ID 'colossal waste of money,' says Labour
Proposals to introduce voter ID are a ‘colossal waste of money,’ Labour has argued.
Health Bill could lead to more centralisation, claims commission
The Health and Care Bill could lead to a more centralised system, a cross-party commission has claimed.
Reed accuses government of dropping devolution
Shadow communities secretary Steve Reed has accused the Government of dropping its commitment to devolution.
Councils 'broadly support' focus of Health and Care Bill
Councils ‘broadly support’ the focus of the Health and Care Bill introduced into Parliament today on improving the health and wellbeing of the population, says the Local Government Association (LGA).
New subsidy rules unveiled
New rules on the awarding of subsidies by local authorities to businesses have been unveiled to MPs following Brexit.
Special needs deficits to grow to £1.3bn in two years
A ‘spiralling deficit’ in special educational needs services (SEN) is expected to grow to an ‘unmanageable’ £1.3bn in just two years’ time, county councils have warned.
Districts squeezed out of new burdens cash
District councils have been squeezed out of new burdens funding for housing victims of domestic abuse due to a £8,000 cut off point.
Councils can issue traffic fines from December
Powers to enforce moving traffic offences will not be extended to local authorities in England outside London until the end of the year, a Department for Transport (DfT) minister has said.
Business leaders make planning plea
Business leaders have demanded ‘properly resourced and upskilled local planning departments’ so carbon reduction and nature can be at the heart of the planning system.
Queen's Speech: No social care solution in sight
The Queen’s Speech has said proposals on social care reform will be brought forward – but it fell short of a commitment to legislation in this Parliament.
Queen's Speech: Controversial voter ID plans roll forward
Voter ID is expected to be introduced by May 2023 after the Government pledged to introduce legislation to ‘ensure the integrity of elections’.
The end of council virtual meetings. What’s next?
David Kitson of Bevan Brittan says councils should now focus on how they can safely facilitate meetings - and he considers alternatives to the pre-pandemic arrangements.
Queen's speech: PM's 'live local and prosper' promise
Levelling up, boosting the economy and backing the NHS are set to be the priorities for Tuesday’s Queen’s speech.
District's loophole to allow virtual meetings
A district council has come up with a loophole to allow it to carry on with virtual meetings when the legislation expires on 6 May.
