Politics
Hall puts pressure on Croydon for May mayoral referendum
Local government minister Luke Hall has suggested any referendum on Croydon LBC’s mayoral system should be held in May alongside the local elections.
MP launches Bill to scrap business rates
Business rates should be abolished in a bid to save high street shops, an MP has claimed.
Local leaders pile on vaccine pressure
Frustrated local government leaders have piled pressure on ministers and officials over the speed and secrecy surrounding the coronavirus vaccine rollout.
Liverpool mayor agrees not to stand again after arrest
Liverpool City Council’s mayor Joe Anderson has reluctantly agreed not to stand again for the role after Merseyside Police extended his bail to mid-February.
Labour announces ‘constitutional commission’ on devolution
Leader Sir Keir Starmer said it will look at transferring more powers from Westminster to local leaders.
Sector frustration as tougher restrictions arrive
Council leaders have expressed frustration after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced tougher Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions across parts of the country the week before Christmas.
Liverpool to undergo best value inspection
Liverpool City Council will undergo an inspection of whether it is complying with its best value duty after the arrest of its mayor.
Jenrick confirms £1.55bn boost
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick today used the provisional finance settlement for 2021/22 to confirm the allocations for £1.55bn funding.
Local leaders to race ahead on cutting carbon
Local leaders representing around a third of England and Scotland’s population have vowed to go ‘further and faster’ than government to reduce carbon emissions.
Liverpool mayor steps down amid police probe
Liverpool City Mayor Joe Anderson has stepped down from his post following his arrest last week.
Cross-party leaders call to halt the break up of the union
A cross-party group of council leaders and mayors has written to the Prime Minister calling for action to prevent the break-up of the union.
MPs to investigate S114s amid Croydon collapse
MPs have launched an investigation into the financial predicament of councils in the aftermath of Croydon LBC’s Section 114 notice.
Councils allowed to delay precept rise
Local authorities will be allowed to delay big council tax increases next year ahead of elections, it has emerged.
Taking the tea
Diary appreciates it’s not been easy for councillors to get to grips with the new technology involved in holding meetings virtually.
LGA chairman steps down as leader of Central Beds
Local Government Association (LGA) chairman Cllr James Jamieson has announced he will step down as leader of Central Bedfordshire Council.
Spending Review: £2.9bn 'restart programme' to help unemployed
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a three-year £2.9bn ‘restart programme’ to help more than one million people unemployed for more than a year find work.
Lucas aid?
It was a heartfelt message of thanks to local authorities that went out from Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.
Early days for motion
It was a heartfelt message of thanks to local authorities that went out from Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.
Devo is a 'stepping stone to localism', PM tells Scots Tories
Devolution should be a stepping stone to passing power down to local communities and businesses, Boris Johnson has told Scottish Conservatives.
Crisis-hit Croydon approves action plan
Croydon LBC has approved an action plan to put ‘strong financial management and governance right at the heart of the organisation’.
