Legislation
'Councils crucial to meeting carbon target'
The UK’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 can only be reached with the contribution of councils, according to a new coalition.
Local lockdown powers up in the air
Council powers over calling a local lockdown are still to be thrashed out as the NHS’ test and trace system is formally launched.
MPs tell department to 'get a grip' on SEND
The Department for Education (DfE) does not have a grip on mounting pressure in the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system, a watchdog has found.
Families urged to hold funerals amid delay requests
Councils have had to push for funerals to take place after some grieving families requested delays so more people could attend when social distancing restrictions are eased.
Care providers in law change call
Care providers have pleaded with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to change the law to boost staff numbers in the sector during the COVID-19 outbreak.
EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall mulls s114 suspension or another cash bailout
Whitehall is weighing up another cash bailout or suspending Section 114 rules with at least 10% of councils at risk of financial meltdown, The MJ understands.
EXCLUSIVE: Ministry to look at easing sector burdens
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials have said they will look at further easing the burdens on the sector amid the coronavirus crisis.
Plans drawn up for remote meetings
Plans to let local authorities conduct their council meetings remotely are being considered by the Government.
Row over York chief departure
A row has erupted over the departure of York City Council’s chief executive.
SEND system 'not working as well as it should' - top civil servant
The reformed system for supporting children with special and educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is ‘not working as well as it should,’ senior civil servants have admitted.
Right to Buy reform calls grow
Calls intensified this week for the Government to reform its ‘outdated’ Right to Buy (RtB) policy in next week’s Budget.
Calls for local audit to be decoupled from system governing companies
Calls are mounting for the regulatory framework for local audit to be decoupled from the system governing companies.
Finance settlement pulled for new terror law
Tomorrow’s local government finance settlement has been pulled to make way for emergency legislation to end the automatic early release of terrorists.
Rates repatriation revolt collapses
An attempt to repatriate the setting of business rates to Scottish councils has collapsed.
EXCLUSIVE: Rate relief delay expected
Changes to business rates reliefs that the Government wants to make from April will not be introduced in time by some councils, The MJ understands.
Davey: SEND crisis could blow up in councils
The acting Lib Dem leader has warned that the crisis in special educational needs and disability (SEND) ‘could blow up in councils across the country’.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils sent back to drawing board on SEND
Councils have been sent back to the drawing board after a quango ripped apart their plans to recover massive special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deficits.
Scottish Government resists business rates devolution plan
Public finance minister Kate Forbes has hit out at opposition proposals to devolve control of business rates to Scottish local authorities.
EXCLUSIVE: Clash over timing of May election counts
Returning officers are on a collision course with police and crime commissioners (PCC) over the timing of counts for the May elections.
March 11 Budget creates 'deep risk' for councils
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has written to the Chancellor warning of the ‘deep risk facing councils’ from delaying the Budget until March 11.
