Legislation
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.
Hancock's half hour to ease sector concerns
Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock has attempted to ease local government concerns about far-reaching NHS legislation plans.
Jenrick warned of legal action over end to virtual meetings
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has been served a pre-action letter warning of legal action to allow virtual council meetings to continue.
LGA code of conduct 'unlikely to gain traction'
The Local Government Association’s model code of conduct is ‘unlikely to gain any traction across the sector’ because of the lack of sanctions breaches attract, council chief executives have warned Whitehall.
Government 'open' to receiving Oxfordshire merger proposal
The Government is ‘open’ to receiving a proposal for a merger of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse DCs, the already closely integrated Lib Dem-led councils have been told.
EXCLUSIVE: Pressure mounts on Jenrick over audit
Whitehall officials are putting communities secretary Robert Jenrick under pressure to change course after he failed to implement a key recommendation of the Redmond Review, The MJ understands.
Government 'understands' virtual meetings call
Sector representatives have been told their arguments for allowing virtual meetings to continue have been ‘well-made and are understood’ by the Government.
Cross-party backing for European charter
The European charter of local self-government took a step closer to being incorporated into Scots law after a Bill received cross-party support at stage one.
Opinion split over election date
Concerned council chief executives have continued to express safety fears about holding elections in May despite regional returning officers telling ministers it can be done.
Legal advice sought in fight to keep remote meetings
Local government officers are seeking legal advice to work out if councils can continue to hold meetings remotely without a change to the law.
Jenrick: I would love remote meetings to continue
Robert Jenrick has said he would ‘love’ councils to be able to continue holding remote meetings but there are no plans to change the law.
Government dismisses Redmond idea for audit regulator
The Government has poured cold water on the idea of a new independent regulator for local audit – the ‘central proposal’ of a review.
Proportional votes to come to Wales
Proportional voting will be introduced to Welsh council elections for the first time as the franchise is extended to 16- and 17-year olds and foreigners.
Government stop-gap on SEND deficits
Treasurers have welcomed a second government attempt to deal with spiralling special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deficits but have stressed it is ‘not sustainable’.
Councils gain COVID enforcement powers
Councils are to be given new powers to issue businesses with improvement notices and close premises if they breach coronavirus restrictions.
Exit cap signed into law
The £95,000 cap on public sector exit payments was signed into law last night and will come into force on November 4.
Spelthorne assets have 'continued to perform well'
A council criticised for borrowing millions of pounds to strike deals has said its assets have ‘continued to perform well’ despite the COVID-19 downturn.
£95k cap will 'erode council rights'
The looming £95,000 cap on exit payments in the public sector will erode the rights of councils to decide workforce changes, a vice-president of the Local Government Association (LGA) has said.
Auditors poised to qualify accounts over SEND
Auditors are poised to qualify some value for money opinions as a result of spiralling special educational needs and disabilities deficits, The MJ understands.
Future Forum: Business rates retention is doomed
Moves to fund local government using the proceeds from business rates are ‘doomed,’ according to a financial expert.
