Queens Speech
Sharing of powers is not devolution
District councils need a broader range of fiscal devolution, starting with the taxes, fees and charges that councils already collect, says Ian Miller.
Winning back the public’s trust
Peter Stanyon says there are urgent lessons to learn from the 2019 elections – and challenges ahead in 2020 and beyond include the wider need for urgent reform to election law, funding and support.
Welcome to the twenties
The new Government is rhetorically placing itself as a radical one that will move fast, says Dr Jonathan Carr-West – but he warns that for local government there is a ‘groundhog day’ element.
The stage is set for districts to demonstrate their key role
We hope ministers take away the message from conference next month that it is districts, backed by long-term sustainable funding, who are best placed to turn the new decade into the roaring twenties, says Cllr John Fuller.
EXCLUSIVE: Government prepares for new rate reliefs
The Government has started to prepare the ground for the introduction of new business rate reliefs after its previous efforts were labelled a ‘shambles’.
EXCLUSIVE: 100% business rates retention could be back on agenda
Full retention of business rates could shoot back up the agenda as part of a long-awaited Government review, The MJ understands.
'Ambitious programme of domestic reform' promised in Queen's Speech
The second Queen’s Speech in almost as many months has promised an ‘ambitious programme of domestic reform’.
First and foremost we need clarity on finance
Getting ‘Brexit Done’ should open up an oven-ready settlement for local government to implement real change, says chief executive of APSE Paul O’Brien.
We want to work with new Government 'to help deliver on our shared ambitions'
One of Boris Johnson's key priorities must be to publish the provisional Finance Settlement quickly - and the LGA agrees with the Government's position that we need to get away from ‘Whitehall knows best’, says chairman Cllr James Jamieson.
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.
EXCLUSIVE: Single tier fear reignited
County councils are being offered the option of unitary local government as part of a devolution deal, The MJ understands.
Working together after the storm
At first glance there’s much for local government to get its teeth into in the Queen’s Speech, not least the promise of further devolution, says Bob Neill. But more frustratingly the wait continues for the Green Paper on social care.
Devo paper to target 'structural reform'
Local Government leaders have urged ministers to consult them ahead of a White Paper on ‘structural and institutional reform’ of combined authorities.
Boosting Britain needs more than a fistful of Bills
Following the Queen's Speech, Heather Jameson says that personally her glass is at least half-full. But as the Prime Minister prepares to boost Britain after we leave the EU, Government policy is looking somewhat paradoxical.
We need the power
The Queen's Speech made it clear that Government has been listening to the LGA on some key issues, says James Jamieson - 'but we now need a long-term settlement that gives local government the powers, money and certainty to transform their areas'.
Queen's speech: Social care White Paper to be published
The Government has promised to finally bring forward proposals to reform adult social care and will consult on providing councils with the power to introduce an annual 2% precept.
Queen's speech: national infrastructure strategy set for revamp
The Queen's Speech has pledged a revamped national infrastructure strategy designed to help support growth across the UK, as well as an aviation bill and proposals for rail reform.
Queen's Speech: Latest
See all The MJ's coverage of the Queen's Speech, from Brexit to devolution, voter ID and plans to tackle violent crime
Queen's speech: Councils promised new powers to tackle pollution
The Queen’s Speech promised an Environment Bill which will establish a ‘world-leading’ independent regulator, the Office for Environmental Protection, and hand some new powers to councils.
Queen's speech: Devolution White Paper to set out 'structural reform'
An English devolution White Paper is planned by the Government, it has been confirmed in the Queen’s Speech.