London Councils
Business rates 'creaking at the seams'
Business rates as a tax is ‘creaking at the seams and in need of reform,’ London Councils has told the Government.
Mets feeling deprived over funding formula
Can the sector reach a consensus on the weighting given to deprivation in the fair funding formula? Ann McGauran examines the local government reaction
Let's move away from these short-term patches to funding
The decision in the provisional local government finance settlement to allocate the social care support grant solely according to the adult care needs formula is a curious one, says John O'Brien
Cracking the code
The complexity of the budgetary challenges faced by English councils has raised the alarm within the sector about its ability to resist future financial shocks. Will CIPFA's new resilience index help? Ann McGauran reports
London Councils forms company to tackle homelessness
A not-for-profit company will be created to provide housing for homeless families in 11 London boroughs.
London boroughs work together to face the HIV challenge
The London HIV Prevention Programme (LHPP) is clearly a public health success story, says Cllr Ray Puddifoot - and local government in the capital is determined to lead the way in efforts to end HIV altogether.
Londoners are more pessimistic about the economic effect of Brexit
As Mrs May takes her Deal from Brussels on tour before a showdown in the House of Commons, Brexit is now seen in London as just as important as the crime wave and the housing crisis, according to Ben Page.
Directors give verdict on how to solve London housing crisis
Local authority directors laid out how the capital’s housing crisis can be tackled at the London Councils Summit.
Aiken: Country facing biggest ever exploitation of children
London must take action to avoid losing an entire generation of young people, the leader of Westminster City Council has warned.
Politicians come to defence of capital against ‘anti-London bias’
Politicians have bridged the party divide in defence of London local government.
One in three Londoners trust councils
Just over a third of people living in London trust their local authority, according to a new poll.
London leaders call for 'proper' debate on funding
Central Government needs to have a ‘proper conversation’ on public sector funding and put councils on a sustainable footing for the future, London Councils chair, Cllr Peter John, has told The MJ.
Brokenshire: We need to raise our game and get London building
Housing secretary James Brokenshire has criticised London boroughs after statistics showed a ‘mixed picture’ across the capital in the number of additional homes in 2017/18.
Councils need more clarity around Brexit
To provide effective help to local communities grappling with Brexit changes, councils will need Government to provide information, clarity and some recognition of the potential resource inherent in that task, says John O'Brien
Turbo-charging London’s digital future
The business rates retention scheme pilot has delivered a £47m funding boost to London’s digital infrastructure. This ‘targeted and strategic investment’ means local leaders can deliver increased growth and transformation, writes Phillip Glanville
Budget 2018: Lifting of cap could lead to £15bn extra debt
The abolition of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrowing cap in this week’s Budget could enable councils to take on up to £15bn in extra debt, according to property adviser Savills.
Modular homes offer hope
London's councils are working together to procure modular housing as high-quality temporary accommodation for homeless households. Cllr Darren Rodwell believes it is the first such collaboration in the UK
Driving growth requires more freedoms
Regeneration can offer the capital exciting new opportunities, according to Cllr Clare Coghill. She says Government is being called on to work with London Councils to develop local industrial strategies and deliver the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
New solutions to knife crime
In the run-up to the London Councils Summit next month Cllr Lib Peck looks at the many varied causes and impacts of knife crime in the capital – and assesses the leadership and sharing of best practice required to tackle this growing issue
London Councils calls for cross-departmental look at pressures
The Government should heed the advice of other departments beyond the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) when it comes to making spending decisions, London Councils has argued.