MHCLG
EXCLUSIVE: LGA improvement cash could be slashed
Smith Square’s top-slice funding could be slashed under plans being considered by Whitehall over fears the sector-led improvement regime is not delivering good value.
'Significant' rise in council commercialisation deals
Spending by English councils on trading services has ‘increased significantly’ over the last four years, according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
MHCLG rejects performance call
Marsham Street has rejected MPs’ call to publish a regular breakdown of council performance across a range of services.
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.
Council tax collection drops further
Council tax collection rates in England declined slightly in 2017/18, new data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has revealed.
Government intervention in Tower Hamlets ends
Government intervention in the running of Tower Hamlets LBC has officially ended.
MHCLG figures show decline in new housebuilding
The number of new housing developments to get under way has continued to plummet, according to newly-released figures
Salford's £25m cladding loan halted by Government
The Government has blocked Salford City Council’s plans to loan £25m to replace cladding on nine tower blocks.
EXCLUSIVE: Districts facing pressure over LEPs
Government officials have warned district councils could be lumped into local enterprise partnerships (LEP) against their wishes if there is no agreement about removing overlaps, The MJ has learnt.
Rotherham to regain full control of services
All powers are to be returned to Rotherham MBC after three years of Government intervention.
Auditors launch governance and accountability inquiry
Whitehall’s watchdog has launched an investigation into local government governance and accountability that will be delivered to MPs next year.
Spending Review will be 'one of hardest ever'
Next spring’s Spending Review needs to decide the model for financing social care while the Treasury should pilot more devolved funding to local authorities, a report from a respected Whitehall-watcher has said.
Fresh calls for Right to Buy suspension
A housing body has renewed calls for ministers to suspend the Right to Buy (RTB) programme amid further evidence that councils cannot replace stock quickly enough.
LEPs told to improve ahead of EU funding changes
Fresh concerns have emerged about local enterprise partnerships (LEP) as the Government considers whether to use them to funnel UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) cash.
Housing minister defends planning changes
Housing minister Kit Malthouse has asked for time for new policies to ‘bed in’ as he was quizzed by MPs.
Thinking our way out of a problem
Slightly lost in the shuffle among the sector’s wide list of recent initiatives is the issue of illegal traveller encampents. Bob Neill says new thinking and firm action is required stem the problem.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils knocked back over settled status costs
Councils are unlikely to receive much financial help to cope with millions of people applying for settled status after the UK leaves the EU, The MJ understands.
Brokenshire admits knowledge gap
James Brokenshire has admitted the Government does not know the councils that have not undergone a corporate peer challenge.
'Knock-on effects' warning over LEP deadline
A policy expert has added his criticism to the ‘overly-hasty’ September deadline for reformed Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) geographies and warned of ‘knock-on effects’.
Simplified rates retention approach mooted
A separate grant to reward councils that help Government achieve its policy objectives under business rates retention could be introduced, The MJ understands.