Wales
Living in limbo
As delays in confirming the successful bids for Community Renewal Fund cash drag on and councils remain in the dark about the upcoming UK Shared Prosperity Fund, local government leaders are running out of patience. Naomi Larsson reports.
EXCLUSIVE: Employers dig in as they refuse to reopen pay talks
Council employers have dug in to defend their ‘full and final’ pay offer despite warnings that months of disruption could lie ahead.
Disruption warning as unions ask for pay talks to resume
Unions have urged council employers to return to the negotiating table with an improved pay offer amid warnings that months of disruption could lie ahead.
EXCLUSIVE: Section 114 notice floated for Pembrokeshire after 'unlawful' decision
Pembrokeshire CC councillors have been advised a Section 114 should be issued following an ‘unlawful’ £95,000 settlement agreement with former chief executive Ian Westley.
Need for social care solution 'greater than ever'
Progress in addressing challenges in social care is too slow, according to a public sector watchdog.
Joint Cabinet meeting 'first of its kind'
A joint Cabinet meeting held between Wales’ council leaders and senior Welsh ministers is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK.
Scotland follows Wales in opposing controversial Elections Bill
The Scottish Government has paved the way for Scotland to follow Wales in refusing to recommend consent for the UK Elections Bill.
Unison warns of strike action over pay
Trade union Unison has warned of future strike action unless local government employers improve their pay offer.
Auditors question financial sustainability of Welsh councils
Auditors have questioned the sustainability of local authorities in Wales despite the improved financial position councils have experienced as a result of pandemic support.
Council officers in appeal bid against planning committee
Officers at Vale of Glamorgan Council are to lodge an appeal after its planning committee failed to grant permission for a housing development.
Welsh Government to block voter ID bill
The Welsh Government has taken the rare step of refusing to recommend consent for the UK Elections Bill.
Welsh government confirms £5m town centre funding
The Welsh government has confirmed that £5m of loan funding will be made available to support the regeneration of town centres.
Welsh councils must provide ‘ambitious leadership’ to revive high street
Local authorities in Wales have been urged to use their existing powers and resources to make town centres sustainable.
Staff shortages leaving care at ‘breaking point’
Social care pressures and demand are ‘higher than ever before’ amid a national workforce shortage, the Government has been warned.
Welsh Government looks at holiday home reforms
Holiday home owners in Wales could be charged the full amount of business rates amid claims people are being priced out of their local area.
Care services near ‘breaking point’
Councils in Wales have warned soaring demand and staff shortages have begun to impact on care services.
Welsh government proposes placing polling stations in colleges
People in Wales may soon be able to vote for their local representatives as they go about their weekly shop or finish their lessons.
Review launched into chief's departure
Pembrokeshire CC’s interim boss has commissioned an independent review into the ‘severance arrangements’ linked to the departure of former chief executive Ian Westley.
Freeports threaten to ‘undermine devolution’
Devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales have raised concerns they are being sidelined by the UK Government as it presses ahead with establishing freeports.
Voter ID 'colossal waste of money,' says Labour
Proposals to introduce voter ID are a ‘colossal waste of money,’ Labour has argued.
