Wales
EXCLUSIVE: LGA split over worker bonus
A cross-party agreement that the Local Government Association (LGA) would lobby for a coronavirus payment to staff was ditched after senior councillors blocked the move, The MJ can reveal.
Concerns raised over care home residents' human rights
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has been asked to look into the treatment of people in care homes during the coronavirus pandemic in Wales.
EXCLUSIVE: LGA bonus rejection 'slap in the face'
A top union official has branded English councils’ refusal to rally behind a campaign for a workers’ coronavirus bonus as a ‘slap in the face’.
Leisure providers at 'crisis point' - LGA
Leisure providers are at a ‘crisis point’ as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, English and Welsh councils have warned.
Welsh care workers to receive £500 bonus
All care workers in Wales will receive a £500 payment in recognition of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford has announced.
IFS: Council tax ripe for reform in Wales
Council tax in Wales is ‘ripe for reform’ with bills now based on property values from 17 years ago, a think-tank has said.
Subsidiary wins framework place
EDAROTH is to provide end-to-end development solutions across north and mid Wales as part of a £1bn housing framework.
Budget 2020: New West Yorkshire mayor announced
A new directly-elected West Yorkshire mayor has been announced with the Government signing a new £1.8bn devolution deal amid plans to ‘level up’ the UK economy.
Government advisers to be sent into council
The Welsh Government will send specialist advisers to Merthyr Tydfil CBC after a review found a ‘debilitating lack of capacity and resilience’ throughout the council.
Unions criticise 'unnecessary' pay offer delay
The three unions representing council workers today criticised ‘unnecessary delays’ after local government employers failed to make them a pay offer for 2020/21.
Brown calls for 'constitutional revolution'
Gordon Brown has called for a ‘constitutional revolution,’ with a series of citizens’ assemblies and a forum for mayors and regional leaders to shape change.
Minister warns austerity is not over
Welsh local government minister, Julie James, warned that austerity is not over as she announced the finance settlement.
NILGA in pre-election powers and resources call
Northern Ireland’s Parliamentary candidates have been urged to prioritise granting greater powers and resources to councils ahead of next week’s General Election.
Promising the earth, but are they fit for the future?
Heather Jameson says that as we approach 2020, we are greeted by election manifestos appealing more to voters harking back to history, rather than looking toward the future.
A vote for change
Local government calls for ‘radical change’ and ‘genuine devolution’ increased this week as political parties prepared to unveil their General Election manifestos.
Welsh teenagers to get the vote in local government ‘overhaul’
A new law to give 16- and 17-year-olds in Wales the vote in council elections has been unveiled by the Welsh Government.
‘Nuff said?
Diary’s attention was grabbed by a recent quote by chair of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn.
Western Gateway to become powerhouse for Severn estuary
A third ‘powerhouse’ has been launched by the Government today in an attempt to drive economic growth across south Wales and the west of England.
Improvement board formed for troubled council
The Welsh Government has formed an improvement board to oversee changes at Merthyr Tydfil CBC after a review into the troubled council.
Welsh councils warn of ‘financial tipping point’ due to cuts
Six Welsh council leaders have written to the Welsh government warning them that without a change to the way local government is funded there will be ‘substantial cuts’ to frontline services.
