MHCLG
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.
Doubts over strategy to end rough sleeping by 2027
New measures aimed at ending rough sleeping within a decade do not go far enough, councils have warned.
Council tax revaluation calls grow
Finance chiefs have said it is ‘untenable’ for local government to rely on the creaking council tax system without a politically-challenging revaluation of properties.
CIPFA guidance to strengthen finance officer LEP role
Moves to strengthen the role of Section 151 officers in local enterprise partnerships (LEP) have been made by the Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
Whitehall attempts to reassure councils on Brexit
Whitehall has insisted it is working to help councils prepare for a hard Brexit despite claims some authorities have been left to fend for themselves.
Localis calls for 'big bang' devolution approach
Think-tank Localis has called for a ‘big bang approach’ to recast the relationship between Whitehall and councils.
Government steps in following Grenfell Tower outcry
The Government will take on responsibility for the Grenfell Tower site, Marsham Street has announced.
LEPs face race against time
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) face a race against time to reconfigure and register as legal entities, amid a threat from ministers to withhold growth fund cash.
New Homes Bonus 'in the mix'
The New Homes Bonus may continue beyond 2020, Whitehall sources have suggested.