Whitehall
Government back to drawing board on Fair Deal
Whitehall remains committed to introducing the Fair Deal policy into the local government pension scheme (LGPS) despite ditching draft regulations.
Finance warning despite record savings
Surrey CC’s longer-term financial resilience is a ‘serious challenge’ despite the authority achieving a record £79m savings in 2017/18, senior councillors have been warned.
Chief sought answers from building society over fraud
Dundee City Council’s chief executive sought assurances over anti-money laundering practices from a major building society following a £1.1m fraud by a former staff member, it has emerged.
Windrush row could swing key council votes
Whitehall’s mistreatment of the Windrush generation could swing key council votes in areas with large immigrant populations, senior politicians have warned.
ADASS: Working age adults argument 'has been won'
Government has been convinced to address the entirety of the adult social care system as it prepares to publish a green paper this summer, an independent expert brought in by Whitehall has suggested.
ADASS: DToC focus has consequences
The focus on delayed transfers of care compromises a strategic approach, a Care Quality Commission (CQC) official has warned.
ADASS: Green paper to 'jump-start' care finance debate
This summer's social care green paper will 'jump-start' the debate on making the sector financially sustainable, minister Caroline Dinenage has pledged.
New principles of care
The prospect of personal health budgets for social care, highlighted by Jeremy Hunt as part of his seven key principles for social care reform, is an exciting one, says Ewan King.
LGA strikes £20m improvement deal
Whitehall is looking to strengthen the sector-led improvement regime in its latest £20m deal with the Local Government Association (LGA), The MJ understands.
Government crackdown amid confusion
Councils fear they could fall victim to a Government crackdown amid continuing confusion a year on from the introduction of new tax rules.
Government has 'underestimated' children's centre closures
As many as 1,000 Sure Start children’s centres could have closed in the last eight years - double the amount estimated by the Government - new research has found.
Council uses £3m package to save factory
Luton Council has paid out more than £3m as part of a package to keep car manufacturing in the town.
'Rudd strategy undermined by grant delay'
Home secretary Amber Rudd’s plan to tackle serious violence is undermined by delayed grant payments to councils, Smith Square has warned.
Government could intervene in tier splits row
The Government could be left to intervene to settle the thorny issue of business rates tier splits under 75% retention, The MJ understands.
Parish pressure over council tax support
Billing authorities are facing increased Government pressure to hand parish councils cash to fund local council tax support schemes.
Glasgow in push for first drugs facility
Glasgow City Council boss Annemarie O’Donnell will invite home secretary Amber Rudd to learn more about proposals for the country’s first safer drug consumption facility.
Two-tier split issue to be decided
Work to thrash out how two-tier areas will split the cash from 75% business rates retention is expected to take place throughout the spring and summer.
Foster care recruitment warning
Ofsted’s senior adviser on looked-after children has warned of an ‘urgent’ need to recruit more foster carers.
Council takes over failing children's services
Plymouth City Council has taken over the running of children’s services at Torbay Council after a series of critical reports.
Councils told to be on guard post-Salisbury
Council bosses have been warned to weigh-up risks of fresh attacks from ‘hostile states’ following the Salisbury poisonings.