Simon Clarke
New cash pledge for Investment Zones
Investment zones will be funded with ‘new’ Treasury cash, and not existing local government spending commitments, levelling up secretary Simon Clarke has told MPs.
Durham bids to join North East devo deal
Durham CC is bidding to join the North East devolution deal as negotiations reach their conclusion.
Solace Summit: Truss ‘believer’ in devolution
West Midlands mayor Andy Street believes the Government will stay the course on devolution.
District frustration after county blocks investment zone bid
Cherwell DC has expressed frustration after its county council blocked a bid to create an investment zone in the county.
Sector split over finance settlement
Financial uncertainty has split opinion over whether local government should push for a multi-year settlement or another single-year deal.
Councils braced for fresh cuts
Councils are bracing themselves for a raft of cuts as embattled Prime Minister Liz Truss this week refused to rule out a return to austerity.
Districts push for investment zone influence
Some county councils are failing to engage their districts in talks about new investment zones despite ministerial pressure, The MJ understands.
Former councillors dominate new ministerial line-up
The new ministerial team at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has been confirmed, with several former councillors dominating the line-up.
Trust should underpin all our relationships
The arrival of Prime Minister Liz Truss and the new Cabinet offers us an opportunity to keep on pressing home the importance of local government, says Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen.
Simon Clarke's clarity of purpose may be just what is required
Duncan Flynn looks at the scale of the task facing the new secretary of state for levelling up Simon Clarke, and considers what we can expect from him.