Local democracy
Empowering your residents
Authorities can empower residents by changing behaviour and enlisting support for that change when service providers and volunteers in communities come together, writes Maxine Moar.
Housing and Brexit: a toxic mix for the Tories on 3 May
Michael Burton asks whether local issues could help the Conservatives salvage some comfort from what could be a car crash election for them next month.
Government orders councils to cease fortnightly publications
The Government has directed Hackney and Waltham Forest LBCs to cease publication of their fortnightly newspapers and publish no more than quarterly.
Welsh Government in new push for larger councils
Local government in Wales is facing a radical overhaul, with ministers consulting on plans to create ‘larger, stronger councils’.
Youth vote is not the answer
Claire Fox argues that extending the vote to 16-year-olds is a distraction from the failure to enthuse 18-plus adults to vote.
Kerslake in attempt to break devolution deadlock
The former head of the Civil Service, Lord Kerslake, has been drafted in to resolve the deadlock over Yorkshire devolution.
East Anglia devolution back on agenda
An influential council leader has urged his colleagues to resurrect plans for devolution to East Anglia.
Un-breaking local news
The decline of readily-available quality local news continues, but with the Government’s recent review announcement Bob Neill feels there is hope for the future – and now is the time to join in.
The democratic dimensions of the Suffragettes' victory
Ed Cox looks at what last week's centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act means for our democracy today.
Devolution framework 'almost done'
The Government's new devolution framework is 'almost done,' communities secretary Sajid Javid has insisted.
Filling the democracy void
Public services are delivered by an increasingly complex matrix of organisations in a mix of formal and informal partnerships. Jacqui McKinlay sets out the arguments for local public accounts committees to fill the local democratic deficit that has emerged.
Mayor defends £11 tax precept
West Midlands mayor Andy Street yesterday defended his proposal for an £11 council tax precept after it was rejected by the combined authority’s cabinet.
Gwynne aims to find compromise over Haringey deal
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has asked shadow local government secretary Andrew Gwynne to lead mediation in a dispute over Haringey LBC’s regeneration programme.
Lord Kerslake: Let's reignite the possibilities of localism
Localism is a marathon, not a sprint, writes Lord Kerslake. Quick fixes through legislation will not be enough.
Metro mayors have key role in health and wealth
Chief executive of Public Health England, Duncan Selbie, and managing director of consultancy Metro Dynamics, Ben Lucas, on the influence mayors can have.
Brum’s full English
Bostin! I’m not clarting about – our kid’s only gone and landed silverware. It’s yampy, just look at his fizzog: he’s in his oil tot!
Devolution deal will give region 'seat at the table'
A new North of Tyne directly-elected mayor will have powers in housing, planning and skills, the Government has announced.
LGA reveals Brexit wish list
The Local Government Association (LGA) has published a definitive wish list of new powers that it wants directly devolved from the EU to the sector post-Brexit.
MP attacks 'merger most foul'
A MP has vowed to stop plans to create a super-district, labelling it a ‘merger most foul’.
Giving councillors a voice
Local government must organise itself to support its councillors in their interactions with external agencies, write Professor Colin Copus and Rachel Wall.