Policy
Medway caves after Ombudsman rap
Medway Council has finally accepted the recommendations in a Local Government Ombudsman public interest report after a two-year stand-off.
Localis hired for fiscal devolution study
The Local Government Association has commissioned research to better understand how greater control of financial and fiscal levers might operate in non-metropolitan areas.
COSLA: Invest in councils before it is too late
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has launched a campaign to persuade finance secretary Derek Mackay to invest in councils ‘before it is too late’.
Doubts over March local industrial strategy deadline
The Government’s public commitment that all areas will have a local industrial strategy (LIS) agreed by March has been thrown into doubt.
Council loses legal challenge to ombudsman
A legal challenge to a critical report by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman has been lost by Rochdale MBC.
Call for Johnson to 'urgently fix' homelessness policy
The number of people who were newly-assessed as homeless or at risk of becoming homeless between April and June rose by 11% compared to last year to 68,000 people, new figures have revealed.
This will be a different Conservative Government
Head of local government at Grant Thornton UK, Paul Dossett, says the fact that the Conservative majority has been won by gaining seats in towns in Wales, the Midlands and the north of England will make a difference.
Future Forum North: IFS boss praises 'sensible' Labour tax proposals
The director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies has urged whoever is elected next week to look at ‘sensible’ dividend and capital gains tax proposals.
Future Forum North: Call for towns and cities to make peace
The driving force behind the Greater Manchester devolution deal has urged towns and cities to make peace.
Council spending powers to be restored to 2010 levels under Labour
Labour would ‘reverse the Tory decade of austerity for local government’ and aim to restore council spending powers to 2010 levels by 2024 if elected.
EXCLUSIVE: Fears over 'watered down' committee replacement
Fears have been raised that the UK will be landed with a ‘watered-down replacement’ for the EU Committee of the Regions after Brexit.
Peer review proposal for pensions
The Local Government Association peer review programme could be expanded to include council pension schemes, a new report has suggested.
Devolution to 'level up' economic fortunes - report
A think-tank has called on ministers to further embrace local government devolution in order to level up the economic fortunes of the country.
Think-tank in widening age gap warning
The Resolution Foundation has warned of a widening age gap across council areas and called on Whitehall to reconsider its approach to local government finance.
COSLA conference: Ex-minister hints at council tax cap relaxation
A former SNP minister has suggested there could be a relaxation of the cap on council tax.
COSLA conference: 'Devolved powers have stopped at Holyrood'
It is a ‘sad paradox’ of devolution that powers handed to Scotland 20 years ago have stopped at Holyrood, the president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has said.
Patel pledges £20m to 'roll up' County Lines
The home secretary’s announcement of a £20m package to tackle County Lines drugs gangs has received a mixed reaction.
Javid promises devo White Paper
A new White Paper to devolve more powers to local areas was announced in the Chancellor’s speech to the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester today.
EXCLUSIVE: Core Cities' £28bn Shared Prosperity Fund warning
The proposed UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) must be worth at least £28bn over seven years if the UK is to deliver its devolved policy objectives, a leading sector body has warned.
Labour vows to make adult's social care free
Labour’s shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has announced he will fund ‘personal care free at the point of use’ across England if the party wins the next general election.