Local Government Association
Fears over Procurement Bill red tape
The Government has rejected concerns that new procurement rules will create more red tape for local authorities.
Ministers promise radical reform after child deaths review
Ministers have promised radical improvements to data sharing across children’s services after two critical reports this week identified problems that led to child deaths.
Future Forum: Funding gap could grow by up to £2bn
The funding gap facing the sector could grow by up to £2bn over the Spending Review period, the deputy chief executive of the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils warned to budget for 4% pay increase
Councils have been warned by local government employers to budget for pay rises of at least 4% this year, The MJ understands.
No major gains expected as local elections loom
Labour and the Conservatives are unlikely to make any huge wins at next week’s local elections, insiders have suggested.
EXCLUSIVE: Post-Grenfell legal claim warning
Council landlords could face large legal claims for discrimination unless they put in place personal emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs) for disabled tenants, local authorities have been warned.
Fresh LGA call after 'bed blocking' doubles
The Local Government Association (LGA) has called for ‘urgent action’ to support social care after new figures revealed hospital ‘bed blockers’ now outnumber COVID-19 patients.
Sunak snubs LGA meeting request
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has snubbed a Local Government Association (LGA) call for a meeting on a range of issues affecting the sector.
Councils urged to reconsider Russian risks
Councils have been encouraged to reconsider the risks of using Russian technology and software following the invasion of Ukraine.
Council accepts peer review's call for change
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has accepted a peer review’s calls for change after it found the authority’s culture was ‘inward-looking’.
LGA in energy costs leisure warning
Rising energy costs are ‘driving decisions’ to close council leisure facilities or reduce opening hours, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
EXCLUSIVE: Porter warning over fresh reorganisation push
Some district councils may seek unitary status to ensure they can influence the new wave of combined authorities, a senior Conservative councillor has warned.
LGA sits on fence on voter ID
Political deadlock is preventing the Local Government Association (LGA) from agreeing a policy position on controversial voter ID as peers inflicted a defeat on the Government.
LEPs due for integration into combined authorities by 2030
Local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) will be integrated into combined authorities by 2030, tracking the pace of the Government’s devolution agenda.
There is no more cash for COVID, Government confirms
There will be no more funding to help councils deal with outbreaks of COVID, the Government has confirmed.
Councils to call for greater devo after White Paper
The local government sector is to make the case for greater devolution beyond the Levelling Up White Paper.
Sector set to clash over rates reform
A sector clash is threatening to erupt over business rates retention, with views split on the future of the policy.
Ministers accused of 'blind political prejudice' over Sandwell intervention
Former Labour minister John Spellar has dismissed as ‘blind political prejudice’ ministers’ decision to send commissioners into Sandwell MBC days after an upbeat peer review.
Ministers urged to reverse public health cuts
The Local Government Association (LGA) has urged ministers to reverse public health cuts amid warnings the COVID-19 pandemic has left staff exhausted and exacerbated recruitment difficulties.
LGA to water down out-of-area protocol
The Local Government Association (LGA) will water down its proposals for a sector-wide agreement when councils place homeless people outside of their boundaries.