Policy
Strictly housing
Theresa May has lifted the cap on how much councils can borrow against their Housing Revenue Account assets – but more problems lie ahead, says Heather Jameson
Chiefs to take on key policy roles for SOLACE
The Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) plans to strengthen its leadership team with a string of high-level appointments covering key policy areas.
Seeing the light on fiscal devolution
Boris Johnson has had an epiphany, according to Heather Jameson. While his Conservative Party conference ‘fringe’ session was dismissed as a bit of a damp squib, he has seen the light on fiscal devolution to councils.
Party conferences – big on ideas, small on detail
Party conferences can be odd affairs for local government, says Heather Jameson
Labour would rewrite the Treasury rules
A Labour government would end ‘Treasury bias against investing in the regions’ by ripping-up the Green Book which determines how public money is spent, the shadow chancellor has said.
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.
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.
Frontline staff 'still wary of Prevent'
Frontline local authority staff are still wary of Prevent strategy training amid fears they could be viewed as extensions of the security services, practitioners have told The MJ.
Councils urged to clamp down on radical speakers
Councils will be expected to ensure venues and resources they own do not provide a platform for extremists, a new Prevent strategy toolkit issued by the Home Office has urged.
Burnham: Devolution is our best hope
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has argued that devolution ‘offers the best hope of making Brexit work for the regions and uniting our uncertain nation’.
Ending free movement would have 'devastating consequences'
Ending freedom of movement after Brexit would have devastating consequences for elderly and disabled people, a think-tank has warned.
IFS: Poorer areas could lose out from fair funding review
Recent spending cuts could distort any objective analysis of need in the fair funding review meaning poorer areas could lose out, according to a study from the Institute for Fiscal Studies published today.
LGA to undertake comprehensive chiefs' survey for first time in nine years
Smith Square is to update its knowledge of chief executives and chief officers by organising a comprehensive survey for the first time in nine years.
Raynes bags combined authority post
Smith Square’s former head of programmes, Paul Raynes, is to join the team of directors at the new Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
'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.
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.
Councils should hire a 'public entrepreneur' - report
All councils should appoint a ‘public entrepreneur’ to lead innovation and transformation, a report today has urged.
Councils warn of no deal Brexit risks
A no deal Brexit would leave councils struggling with new checks on EU imports and without access to billions of pounds, Smith Square has warned.
Recycling rates could be boosted by fraud, says auditors
The UK’s success at recycling may be being boosted by fraudulent exports of unrecyclable materials, auditors have claimed.