Legislation
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.
ADASS issues stark warning as White Paper faces further delays
The social care system risks complete breakdown experts have warned as it emerged that the long-awaited White Paper has been delayed again until next year.
Local authorities and local lockdown
Tiffany Cloynes and Clare Hardy examine the new local lockdown regulations and outline the crucial issues councils need to address in order to use their powers effectively.
CIPFA calls for strengthening of council borrowing rules
Legislation governing the rules on council borrowing should be strengthened, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) said today.
EXCLUSIVE: Legal advice increases doubts over council meeting resumption
Confidential legal advice obtained by the Local Government Association (LGA) has highlighted major issues that could prevent councils from resuming physical and hybrid public meetings, The MJ understands.
'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.
