MHCLG
Funding fail for information sharing crack team
A ‘crack team’ launched to improve information sharing across the public sector has announced it is scaling back its work after failing to secure funding.
Finance review reaches out to sector
The man heading a review into Marsham Street’s oversight of the business rates system is approaching councils for their views.
EXCLUSIVE: Ministry considers Right to Buy rule change
Ministers are considering changes to the use of Right to Buy (RtB) receipts amid claims current rules are a ‘shameful cash grab’ by the Government.
Government to raid affordable homes budget to fund cladding removal
The Government’s affordable homes programme will be hit by a Government promise to fund the £400m cost of removing cladding and insulation from tower blocks, The MJ can reveal.
Councils chided on cladding cataloging
The Government is putting extra pressure on local authorities to speed up their cataloguing of buildings in the private sector that might have dangerous cladding.
Consensus building around new funding formulae
Consensus is building around a number of service areas for which the sector believes there should be a specific formula after the fair funding review.
MHCLG will not recover £36m overpayments
Millions of pounds overpaid to local authorities by the Government will not be recovered, Marsham Street has confirmed.
MHCLG: A lot can be gained from unitary
A unitary structure could save money and improve effectiveness, top civil servants have said in their clearest signal yet of a Government view on reorganisation.
Dawes: Spending Review limit on long-term funding deal
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials have backed the concept of a long-term funding deal for the sector but offered no future guarantees.
CIPFA plea on LEP principles
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has appealed for help as it draws up principles for officers dealing with local enterprise partnerships (LEP).
Dawes: MHCLG could improve Whitehall engagement
Marsham Street’s most senior civil servant has admitted the department could be more structured in its engagement with the rest of Whitehall.
Pickles for Strictly?
These days secretaries of state at Marsham Street barely have time to gather their thoughts before they are catapulted to another part of Whitehall.
Dawes: Another Section 114 possible
Marsham Street's top official has told MPs she cannot give them a ‘categorical assurance’ there will not be another Northamptonshire-style collapse.
Brokenshire announces Northamptonshire commissioners
New local government secretary James Brokenshire has announced the two commissioners appointed to help rescue troubled Northamptonshire CC.
Do we finally have an advocate for councils?
As we welcome a new head of the MHCLG into local government, it is worth remembering that the personality of the secretary of state often has as much impact than any change in political hew.
Future Forum: LGA to push for place-based EU funding replacement
The Local Government Association (LGA) will push for a place-based replacement for EU funding after Brexit, Smith Square’s chief executive has said.
Future Forum: STPs not one-size-fits-all
A top NHS chief has questioned the direction of travel, accountability and boundaries of sustainability and transformation partnerships (STPs).
EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall grabs £875m Right to Buy receipts
Labour has demanded immediate Right to Buy (RTB) reforms after figures obtained by The MJ revealed the amount councils lose to Whitehall under the regime.
Sector backs MPs' business rates call
Local government bodies have thrown their support behind a call by MPs for retained business rates to be treated as extra income.
Whitehall speed dating
Diary is a bit old-fashioned when it comes to dating.