Policy
ADASS issues stark warning as White Paper faces further delays
The social care system risks complete breakdown experts have warned as it emerged that the long-awaited White Paper has been delayed again until next year.
LEPs need capacity boost to improve delivery, research finds
Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) would be better at delivering large-scale capital projects if they had more capacity, independent research for the Government has found.
Leader of 'North Korea' council deposed
The leader of a scandal-hit council compared to North Korea has been deposed after a vote of no confidence at a fiery meeting.
IFS finds £2bn budget black hole
Councils face a budget black hole of £2bn this year due to unfunded coronavirus costs, a new study has found.
Government relaxes recovery plan demand
The Government has scrapped its requirement for all councils with a cumulative dedicated schools grant (DSG) deficit of more than 1% to submit a recovery plan.
Capping the pace of change
While one part of central government is local for reorganisation and modernisation, the other cuts exit payments and blocks a major way to drive the pace of change, says Graeme McDonald.
Battle for the top job
As the Liberal Democrats vote for their next leader, in this exclusive interview, Heather Jameson spoke to the two leadership candidates about what local government means to them
Council chief hails policy change
The chief executive of the council working to contain coronavirus within a vegetable farm in Herefordshire has hailed a national change of policy.
Ministers: Don't rely on more funding
Ministers have warned councils not to rely on more funding on top of the announcements made so far.
LEP Network comes out fighting ahead of White Paper
The chair of the network that supports local enterprise partnerships (LEP) has come out fighting amid fears the future of the organisations could be at risk.
Ministers to extend Help to Buy
Ministers are drawing up plans to extend the Help to Buy scheme after housebuilders warned buyers could lose out due to delays caused by coronavirus.
Government told to recommit to local industrial strategies
Local industrial strategies (LIS) should be the ‘starting point for economic recovery plans,’ the Government has been told.
Better response to pandemic from European councils, says think-tank
Local government across Europe has been able to react to the coronavirus crisis with greater power and autonomy than in the UK, a report published today has found.
Clarke: Unitarisation vital first step in mayoral talks
Unitarisation of councils will be a ‘vital first step’ for negotiating a series of new mayors within the next decade, local government minister Simon Clarke has said.
Community groups attitude key to success
Council attitudes towards community groups have a ‘clear impact’ on their success and sustainability, a think-tank report has found.
LGA shies away from reorganisation 'fight back'
The Local Government Association (LGA) has shied away from calls for it to launch a ‘fight back’ against reorganisation though senior members criticised any top-down approach.
'Councils crucial to meeting carbon target'
The UK’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 can only be reached with the contribution of councils, according to a new coalition.
Fresh reorganisation offensive leaves districts quaking
The County Councils’ Network (CCN) has launched a fresh offensive to rip up the local government map as the country emerges from the shadow of coronavirus.
Combined authority 'spending reserves like it's going out of fashion'
Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s chief executive has expressed doubts about whether his region would be able to cope with a second wave of coronavirus infections.
Council criticises shielding relaxation
Bradford City Council has warned that easing shielding restrictions in England for vulnerable and high-risk people could put lives at risk.
