Parish councils
Making Counties Count: Don’t they Already?
Steve Leach and Colin Copus argue a move to county-based unitaries would ‘draw local government away from recognisable communities and increase the drift to meaningless conglomerates’.
The importance of ‘getting’ all the tiers of the local
A belief that central Government doesn’t ‘get’ councils was a theme at The MJ Future Forum. But Jonathan Flowers argues we need to look at our own localism issues.
The height of cautiousness
With the EU gone, at least the Great British public can rely on health and safety to send the blood pressure through the roof.
Kettering to create town council
A new town council is to be created as part of local government reorganisation in Northamptonshire.
Government to intervene over 5G concerns
Ministers are reportedly set to write to planning authorities urging them not to block the introduction of 5G technology.
Something to chew on
PETA, the animal welfare charity, gave a good lesson in PR campaigning this week when it called on the Dorset village of Wool to change its name, alleging that it represents cruelty to sheep.
Community councils should cover whole of Wales
Community councils should be extended to cover the whole of Wales, a study for the Welsh Assembly has concluded.
Torbay to consult on town council proposals
Members in Torbay have narrowly voted to go ahead with a review that could see new town councils created across the area.
Parish pressure over council tax support
Billing authorities are facing increased Government pressure to hand parish councils cash to fund local council tax support schemes.
A tribute to the unsung heroes of public service
In the shadow of a series of national tragedies and the loss of her father, a town councillor, Sandra Dinneen delivers a heartwarming tribute to those who serve day in and day out within their communities.
Time to connect the disconnected
With a recent focus on the handing of powers to a collection of high profile regional mayors, Sue Baxter urges the next Governement, whichever hue it may be, to push devolution down to the grass roots.
Pressure on parishes
Government proposals on council tax referenda are worrying and parishes need to voice their concern, says Ian Miller
Parishes call for council tax referendum probe
Plans to force parish councils to have referendums for council tax rises are ‘a centralist sledgehammer to crack a nut’, leaders have claimed.
A re-organisation too far
MP Alec Shelbrook’s proposals for local government reform risk destroying the ‘local’ in local government, warns Professor Colin Copus
Missing in action
Norfolk CC and Breckland DC member Denis Crawford hit the headlines last week.
Chief executive launches probe after elections mistake
A council chief executive has launched an investigation after a ‘significant error’ meant his authority will have to run two parish elections again.
A bitter sweet symphony
Andrew Muter, chief executive of Newark & Sherwood DC, explains why the devolution agenda is in danger of descending into farce.
Leader fears devolution failure
Doubts have been cast over the success of Hampshire’s devolution bid by a local district leader, as momentum builds behind the ‘double devolution’ agenda.
Cornwall leader demands devolution pledge
Cornwall Council leader Cllr John Pollard has called on the leaders of the main political parties to support the county’s drive for greater devolution.
Parishes answer planning problems
James Derounian and Elisabeth Skinner advocate local authority and community involvement – all at modest cost, requiring no new legislation or invention of mechanisms.
