Third sector
Virtual meetings have boosted local democracy, survey finds
Nine in 10 councils believe local democracy has improved as a direct result of online council meetings, a survey has found.
Government warned of 'soaring summer of homelessness'
The Government will fail to fulfil its manifesto commitment of ending rough sleeping for good by 2024 without a cross-Whitehall strategy for reducing homelessness, it has been warned.
Call for 'radical system change' after children's home claims
A charity chief has called for ‘radical system change’ after whistleblowers claimed youngsters with autism were ‘abused’ and mistreated at a Cardiff children’s home.
Further delays for social care reform
Social care reform faces further delays after rumours that the chancellor and Prime Minister are concerned at the £5bn bill to fund more generous capping limits.
Town halls told: Don't depend on COVID cash
Councils need to wean themselves of COVID cash to fund social care before it runs out at the end of June, a director has warned.
Homelessness charity calls for Home Office rules to be scrapped
Home Office rules ‘undermine’ efforts to end rough sleeping and should be ‘scrapped immediately,’ a charity has said.
Landmark judgement brings rough sleeping clarity
Councils have the legal powers to help people with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) who are sleeping rough during the pandemic after a landmark judgement.
Rough sleeping stats: 'We're still a long way from zero'
The number of people sleeping rough in England was up by more than half on 2010 despite the Everyone In scheme, the latest annual snapshot has shown.
Councils asked to 'redouble efforts' on rough sleeping
English councils have been asked to ‘redouble their efforts’ to help accommodate people sleeping rough, with the Government finding an additional £10m funding.
Crisis call for return of Everyone In
The chief executive of homelessness charity Crisis has called for ring-fenced funding for councils to provide COVID-safe accommodation for anyone at risk of rough sleeping.
Rough sleeping advisory panel sidelined
A government-backed advisory panel formed to help eradicate rough sleeping has met just once in the last year, it has emerged.
Pre-winter Crisis call
More funding and emergency legal changes are ‘critical’ so local authorities can continue to support people in safe and secure accommodation, the chief executive of homelessness charity Crisis has said.
'Unique model' could be expanded
A ‘unique model’ that procures accommodation for homeless Londoners and those at risk could be expanded as the capital faces a ‘tsunami’ of homelessness.
Birmingham improvement model could be used elsewhere
An improvement model that has helped turn around Birmingham City Council could be rolled out to other struggling local authorities.
Interim made permanent after leading council through coronavirus
Allerdale BC’s interim chief executive has been handed the role on a permanent basis.
Community groups attitude key to success
Council attitudes towards community groups have a ‘clear impact’ on their success and sustainability, a think-tank report has found.
Concerns raised over scrutiny vacuum
A charity has expressed worries about councils that are in danger of effectively having no scrutiny function for six months.
RSA calls for investment in regional banks
Councils should invest in shares in their regional bank, a charity has urged.
Scots charities launch bid to end rough sleeping
A coalition of Scots charities will today present plans their plans to end rough sleeping to the Scottish Government.
Government must confront social care staffing crisis 'head on'
The Government should confront the social care staffing crisis head on if they are to pursue immigration reform, the director of research and economics at The Health Foundation charity has said.
