Local Government Association
New leadership role to boost place-based working
Local government’s sole representative on the new National Leadership Centre’s (NLC) board wants to use her role to boost place-based ways of working.
Call for new audit oversight body
A new type of oversight body for local audit that would take a strategic approach to addressing the sector’s sustainability challenges is needed, a top auditor has suggested.
The war against County Lines
Paul Marinko looks at how local authorities are tackling the scourge of County Lines – and finds that the dexterity of gangs in adapting to agencies’ responses makes a ‘monumental task’ even harder.
Election and Brexit could hit peer review plans
A General Election before March would put the Local Government Association (LGA) at risk of failing to deliver the number of peer challenges demanded by Whitehall.
EXCLUSIVE: Core Cities' £28bn Shared Prosperity Fund warning
The proposed UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) must be worth at least £28bn over seven years if the UK is to deliver its devolved policy objectives, a leading sector body has warned.
Talks paused over replacing Committee of the Regions
Talks over the Government’s commitment to replicate the European Committee of the Regions have been paused as the UK's Brexit deadline looms.
70% decrease in youth services funding
Local youth services have been hit by a nearly 70% decrease in funding in a decade, young people's charity YMCA has found.
Suspended deputy returns to work
Thanet DC’s deputy chief executive Tim Willis is understood to have returned to work after six weeks suspended.
Council scraps chief's post
Hertsmere BC has scrapped the post of chief executive as part of a move to a ‘more cost-effective management structure’.
Johnson ignores LGA social care deadline
The Local Government Association (LGA) has issued a fresh warning after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ignored its deadline for publishing a paper on social care’s future.
Government remains open to non-mayoral devo deals
The Government remains open to striking devolution deals without the requirement for a directly-elected mayor, The MJ understands.
EXCLUSIVE: Department 'ready' to help councils through Brexit
Robert Jenrick has told The MJ his department ‘stands ready’ to guide councils through Brexit amid a review of the sector’s readiness for no-deal.
Hopes of devolution framework revival
Sector sources remain hopeful that the long-promised devolution framework could still be revived after a private informal meeting with Government officials about the next steps.
Town deals cash not guaranteed
Some 100 places across England have been invited to develop plans for new multi-million pound town deals - but the cash is not guaranteed.
Jenrick: Spending Round puts sector on 'more sustainable footing'
The Spending Round has put local government on a ‘far stronger and more sustainable footing for the future,’ communities secretary Robert Jenrick has told The MJ.
Council considers scrapping chief's role
Hertsmere BC is considering plans to delete its chief executive role with the current post holder on sick leave.
New rules to increase housing deal transparency
Councils will be legally required to publish deals with housing developers after new rules were introduced.
£800m overspend on children's social care
Severe funding shortages and huge demand pressures mean councils were forced to overspend on their children’s social care budgets by nearly £800m last year.
£5.2bn and counting
The Local Government Association (LGA) will argue the sector faces a £5.2bn funding gap in 2020/21 despite believing the figure is an underestimate, The MJ understands.
Jenrick to check councils' borrowing bids
New local government secretary Robert Jenrick will take a fresh look at councils excessively borrowing for commercial reasons, The MJ understands.