Politics
Reorganisation being 'rushed through in pandemic'
The current local government reorganisation process is being ‘rushed through in a pandemic,’ a shadow minister has said.
Storm brewing over exit payment data demands
Government demands for details of senior staff pay-offs have been branded ‘particularly pernicious’ and unfairly aimed at local government.
Vaccine may be made compulsory for care home staff
Staff in English care homes with older adults may be required to have a COVID-19 vaccine in a bid to tackle hesitancy within the sector.
LGA distances itself from fire safety guide
The Local Government Association (LGA) has distanced itself from guidance hosted on its website that has been criticised in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Making elections meaningful
We need two things from our electoral system says Dr Jonathan Carr-West – enough stability to maintain public confidence and the possibility of meaningful change. But have we got the balance quite right?
Tight timescales force grant rejection
A new garden village featuring more than 2,000 homes has been thrown into doubt after Rutland CC turned down £29.4m it had bid for successfully.
MPs reject call for army vet checks
Parliament has rejected calls for a duty on local public bodies to ask service users whether they are military veterans when accessing services.
Labour’s Liverpool review will ‘shake the tree’
The Labour Party has kick-started its inquiry into failings at Liverpool City Council.
Home secretary urges councils to house asylum seekers
Home secretary Priti Patel has urged local authorities to identify further accommodation to house asylum seekers following the closure of a controversial temporary site in Wales.
Region refuses to take more asylum seekers
The West Midlands has refused to take any more asylum seekers unless the Home Office agrees to a ‘more equitable spread’ across all UK councils.
Labour announces candidate for Liverpool mayor
Joanne Anderson has been announced as the Labour candidate to stand as mayor of Liverpool City Council after Joe Anderson said he would not stand again.
Ministers insist they did not interfere in fund prioritisation
Ministers have insisted they did not interfere in the prioritisation of places for two new funds.
Unison call for election safety measures
The Government needs to implement strict measures in May’s local elections to keep staff safe, trade union Unison urged today.
Conservative call to ring-fence budget for councils
A new Barnett-type formula should be introduced that would legally mandate the Scottish Government to deliver a ring-fenced percentage of its budget to councils, Conservatives have argued.
Levelling Up Fund to feature rapid bid process
The £4bn cross-departmental Levelling Up Fund will feature a rapid bid process, with all projects having to be completed before the next General Election, The MJ understands.
LGA code of conduct 'unlikely to gain traction'
The Local Government Association’s model code of conduct is ‘unlikely to gain any traction across the sector’ because of the lack of sanctions breaches attract, council chief executives have warned Whitehall.
Government 'open' to receiving Oxfordshire merger proposal
The Government is ‘open’ to receiving a proposal for a merger of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse DCs, the already closely integrated Lib Dem-led councils have been told.
Why is central government not listening?
The pandemic has given local authorities the opportunity to shine and demonstrate to government that we can work effectively together, argues Blair Mcpherson.
Cross-party backing for European charter
The European charter of local self-government took a step closer to being incorporated into Scots law after a Bill received cross-party support at stage one.
Government confirms May election date
The Government has officially confirmed local elections will go ahead on May 6.
