Sajid Javid
Bucks residents back two unitaries - survey
Two out of three Buckinghamshire residents support a two-unitary option for the county, according to a newly-published telephone survey.
Here come the commissioners
You know the situation in local government must be bad when the comparisons with war-torn Iraq and Afghanistan begin.
Northants crisis could halt Oxfordshire reorganisation
Plans to reorganise local government in Oxfordshire may be stymied by communities secretary Sajid Javid’s intervention in neighbouring Northamptonshire, senior sources have claimed.
LGA seeks cash to defend legal claim
The Local Government Association (LGA) is seeking financial support from across the sector as it prepares for a legal fight with NHS trusts over rates relief.
Council forced to exhaust reserves
Troubled Northamptonshire CC has taken a ‘last resort’ decision to exhaust its entire reserves as it struggles to agree a legal budget for 2018/19.
Javid plans intervention into crisis-hit Northants
Local government secretary Sajid Javid has bowed to the inevitable and outlined plans for commissioners to run Northamptonshire CC amid concerns over the county’s sustainability.
Three councils face intervention over local plans
Three councils are facing government intervention over their failure to produce a local plan.
Javid gives full backing to Somerset merger
A new council following the merger of West Somerset DC and Taunton Deane BC could be established by April 2019 after Government backed the move.
Senior capacity still lacking at Grenfell council - report
The Grenfell Recovery Taskforce has repeated its call for ‘greater senior capacity to drive operational delivery’ and criticised ‘limited progress’ at Kensington & Chelsea LBC.
Under-fire council's interim boss to leave after criticism
Under-fire Northamptonshire CC’s interim chief executive has agreed to leave the council after he was criticised in an independent inspector’s report.
Javid orders review after second finance mistake
The Government has ordered a review after being forced to admit a second mistake in as many months in the way it calculates council payments.
Caller calls for council commissioners and carve-up
The inspector appointed by the Government to review Northamptonshire CC’s governance has suggested that commissioners should be appointed and two unitaries created, prompting the immediate resignation of leader, Cllr Heather Smith.
Five councils to help with Government integration plan
The Government will work with five local authorities to develop integration plans as it develops a national strategy for England, it has announced today.
PHE 'aware' council using public health cash for social care
Public Health England (PHE) was broadly aware Northamptonshire CC was using its cash to plug holes in adult social care, senior sources have claimed after it emerged the agency was attempting to clawback up to £10m.
Brum improvement team vows to work with council
The team brought in to turn around Birmingham has vowed to work more closely with the council.
Kerslake in attempt to break devolution deadlock
The former head of the Civil Service, Lord Kerslake, has been drafted in to resolve the deadlock over Yorkshire devolution.
Senior Northamptonshire councillors approve deeper cuts
Northamptonshire CC’s dire financial position deteriorated further this week, with senior councillors today approving plans for even deeper cuts following a warning from auditors.
Melting rivalry
Local government secretary Sajid Javid and his shadow Andrew Gwynne are bitter political rivals.
Gwynne calls for commissioners to take over Northamptonshire CC
Shadow local government secretary Andrew Gwynne has urged his political rival Sajid Javid to send commissioners into crisis-hit Northamptonshire CC.
Rates relief row comes to court
The dispute between councils and NHS trusts over business rates relief has flared up again after proceedings were issued in the High Court.