Politics
Northamptonshire library closures ruled 'unlawful'
The decision to close 21 council-run libraries in Northamptonshire was made unlawfully, a court has ruled.
Social housing paper dismissed as 'small step'
The Government’s long-awaited social housing Green Paper has been dismissed as a ‘small step’ towards improvement by the Conservative-led Local Government Association.
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.
Councils resist peer challenge offer
The Local Government Association (LGA) is facing resistance as it struggles to persuade reluctant councils to undergo a corporate peer challenge.
Council tax revaluation calls grow
Finance chiefs have said it is ‘untenable’ for local government to rely on the creaking council tax system without a politically-challenging revaluation of properties.
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.
Localis calls for 'big bang' devolution approach
Think-tank Localis has called for a ‘big bang approach’ to recast the relationship between Whitehall and councils.
LEPs face race against time
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) face a race against time to reconfigure and register as legal entities, amid a threat from ministers to withhold growth fund cash.
In defence of voter ID
The subject of voter ID has divided many people, but Bob Neill calls for those sceptical about reform to catch up with the rest of the modern world.
Labour proposes national youth services body
Senior Labour Party figures have announced plans to establish a national body to oversee future statutory youth services across local authorities.
Hillingdon wins social housing High Court battle
Councils’ power to determine how social housing tenants are prioritised has been strengthened by a landmark court ruling in favour of a London borough.
Government urged to halt voter ID
Ministers have come under renewed pressure to halt plans to expand compulsory voter ID pilots.
Peers suggest senior management restructure
Local Government Association peers have suggested there is an ‘opportunity to rethink’ Shropshire Council’s senior management structure.
Social housing Green Paper delayed
Councils have been forced to wait for the social housing Green Paper.
Districts push back against county unitary plans
Districts have pushed back against county council plans for local government reorganisation.
Rising with Rishi
Local government minister Rishi Sunak’s morning habits have changed since he got the job in January.
Ministers to 'review local government taxation'
Senior ministers have told the sector they are in favour of looking at local government taxation, The MJ understands.
Westminster’s revolving doors challenge the sector
Michael Burton on the recent government reshuffle and what it means for local government.
Sunak questions outsourcing model
Conservative local government minister Rishi Sunak has questioned the current model of outsourcing in the wake of Carillion’s collapse.
Sunak: Fair funding is my number one task
Local government minister Rishi Sunak has said fair funding is his ‘number one task’.