Wales
Employers offer 1.5% 'paltry' pay rise
Councils are facing a £279m increase to the national pay bill after offering 1.5m employees a 1.5% increase for 2021-22.
Welsh elections 2021: Labour set to win elections
Welsh Labour are set to retain control of the Welsh Government, taking half of the seats on the second day of counting.
Watchdog urges 'revaluation' of councils' role
The ‘role and value’ of councils should be revaluated in face of rising demand and financial pressures, according to a new report.
No simple north-south divide, says report
There is no simple north-south divide, a new report by Legal and General (L&G) has argued.
Putt us back in action
They say golf drives a wedge between sports fans.
£10bn bill to repair local roads
The estimated one-time cost to get local roads in England and Wales back into a ‘reasonable, steady state’ is £10.24bn, according to a new survey.
Council tax hits £2,000 barrier in two regions
The typical council tax bill for an average property in England’s north-east and south-west will be more than £2,000 a year for the first time, according to research from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
BUDGET 2021: New freeport sites confirmed
Chancellor Rishi Sunak closed his Budget speech today with a commitment to eight new freeport sites - international gateways that will enjoy a raft of tax breaks from later this year.
'Good settlement fails to make up for austerity'
The Welsh Government has confirmed funding for councils, with the publication of the final local government settlement.
Employers branded a 'disgrace' over pay delay
Council employers have been branded a ‘disgrace’ after they said they would not respond to a union pay claim until after the May 6 elections.
Calls to vaccinate election workers grow
Pressure is growing for key election workers to be prioritised in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout after the Government confirmed polls will take place in May.
Opinion split over election date
Concerned council chief executives have continued to express safety fears about holding elections in May despite regional returning officers telling ministers it can be done.
Fresh calls for standards code sanctions
Fresh calls for meaningful sanctions on badly behaving councillors were made this week after the Local Government Association (LGA) unanimously approved a model code of conduct.
Chief executive calls time on 40-year career
Colin Everett will leave Flintshire CC later this year, having joined the authority in 2007.
Uncertainty over rates rebate risk
More uncertainty has been heaped on councils after it emerged they could be hit by a £481m business rates rebate for the office sector.
Welsh councils' funding boosted by 3.8%
Welsh councils’ funding package of £6.3bn next year is ‘as good a settlement as I can offer,’ local government minister Julie James has said.
Welsh councils express ‘deep concern’ about city centres’ survival
Three Welsh authorities have called for financial support for city centres, warning: ‘If they fail, Wales fails.’
Revolution for Welsh local democracy
The Welsh Government’s Local Government and Elections Bill is not a technical and legalistic charter, says Welsh local government minister Julie James. Rather, it will ‘positively transform the experience of democratic engagement and empowerment’
Proportional votes to come to Wales
Proportional voting will be introduced to Welsh council elections for the first time as the franchise is extended to 16- and 17-year olds and foreigners.
Sunak's cash pledge to head off revolt
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has pledged extra cash in a bid to head off a revolt by a new northern group of Conservative MPs.
