Politics
SOLACE Summit: Councils are at back of austerity queue
Councils are at the ‘end of the queue’ when it comes to receiving funding from the Treasury, the chief executive of Brighton & Hove Council has said.
Politics may be coming home
Local government had a ‘pretty good showing’ during the party conferences says Dr Jonathan Carr-West. He hopes it could be the start of a much-needed public debate on the local state
Casey: Involve councils in sorting Universal Credit
Whitehall must use the expertise of councils to sort out Universal Credit (UC), a former senior Government adviser has told The MJ.
Leader threatens legal challenge over tunnel
Thurrock Council’s leader has threatened a judicial review of Highways England’s plan for a Lower Thames Crossing.
McVey: Some people will be worse off under Universal Credit
Work and pensions secretary Esther McVey has admitted that some people will be worse off as a result of the introduction of Universal Credit (UC).
Bradley praises council efforts in 'challenging landscape'
Northern Ireland’s secretary of state today emphasised her commitment to restoring devolution and praised the effort made by local government in drawing up City Deals.
Strictly housing
Theresa May has lifted the cap on how much councils can borrow against their Housing Revenue Account assets – but more problems lie ahead, says Heather Jameson
Isle of Wight open to new devolution deal after Government rejection
A senior Isle of Wight councillor has warned the island will ‘not be bounced into new arrangements’ after Whitehall ditched plans for a combined authority.
One conference with two messages
Two events run simultaneously at the Conservative Party conference, says Michael Burton. At the main hall plenaries 'all is rosy' , while the 'real world' makes an appearance at the 300 or so fringe sessions.
Seeing the light on fiscal devolution
Boris Johnson has had an epiphany, according to Heather Jameson. While his Conservative Party conference ‘fringe’ session was dismissed as a bit of a damp squib, he has seen the light on fiscal devolution to councils.
Peers call on Liverpool to improve politics
Councillors in Liverpool City Council need to improve the way its politics are played out in the council chamber, its latest peer review has found.
‘Tis the season
As conference season takes shape, LGA chair Lord Porter looks at the critical issues currently facing local government he is hoping will take centre stage
Party conferences – big on ideas, small on detail
Party conferences can be odd affairs for local government, says Heather Jameson
Labour would rewrite the Treasury rules
A Labour government would end ‘Treasury bias against investing in the regions’ by ripping-up the Green Book which determines how public money is spent, the shadow chancellor has said.
Leaders accuse Government of destroying 'social contract'
Senior Labour local government figures will launch a Councils Against Austerity campaign next week’s party conference.
Capacity stretched at 'can do' council
Capacity at a ‘can do’ council is stretched and staff are under real pressure, a Local Government Association (LGA) peer review has found.
Local politicians breaking through
The pending party conference season is likely to be a savage one, with a summer of simmering discontent in the major parties and an anger among the Lib Dems about their disappearance from political debate. Northern Ireland is regressing to the politics of past hatreds. Even the normal hegemonic SNP is not immune, with major ructions between past and present leaders. Expect some angry scenes on the conference floor.
Council leader faces opposition to chief executive choice
Lancashire CC’s leader is seeking to push through his preferred candidate for chief executive in the face of criticism from the Labour opposition.
Councillors welcome delay to Labour democracy review
Councillors have welcomed a Labour Party decision to postpone the local government side of its democracy review amid concerns that some proposals were ‘completely unworkable’.
Burnham: Devolution is our best hope
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has argued that devolution ‘offers the best hope of making Brexit work for the regions and uniting our uncertain nation’.