Whitehall
Candidates – don’t forget the local
Voters in local elections are seeking tangible action on the ground, argues Bob Neill, and local candidates recognising this reality will be rewarded for it at the ballot box
Further delay to devolution drive
The Government’s repeatedly-delayed devolution framework will not be published until after Brexit, minister Jake Berry has admitted.
Government misses self-imposed Easter reorganisation deadline
Preparations for local government reorganisation in Northamptonshire are moving ahead despite councils continuing to wait for a formal Government decision.
EXCLUSIVE: LEPs challenge Government performance review
Frustrated local enterprise partnerships (LEP) have demanded changes to the Government’s annual performance review (APR) process.
EXCLUSIVE: Government to hear Brexit legal base fears
Continuing concerns around the future legal base of regulatory work after Brexit will be raised at the next EU exit local government delivery board, The MJ understands.
Elections staff left asking questions on EU poll payments
Elections staff remain in the dark over the payments they will receive if the EU polls are cancelled.
Government to push ahead with 75% rates retention in 2020/21
Whitehall will push ahead with plans to implement 75% business rates retention in 2020/21 despite calls for a one-year delay, The MJ understands.
Councils' role in asylum system to be bolstered
Plans are being drawn up that will give councils more of a say in where asylum seekers are accommodated.
Data demand over settled status bids
Councils have refused to give up after their request to access Home Office data on application rates for settled status was knocked back.
Government review to look at council audit response
The Government will use its planned review of a key law to look at how councils respond to issues identified by auditors, The MJ has learnt.
EXCLUSIVE: Concern over councils' ability to cope with polls
Council chiefs have raised concerns with Government about the sector’s capacity to run EU elections so close on the heels of local polls.
Minister defends voter ID trials amid 'scaremongering'
Concerns over voter ID trials have been dismissed as ‘scaremongering’ and ‘conspiracy theorising’ by a minister.
No-fault evictions to be axed
Local government has welcomed plans to axe ‘no-fault evictions’ in England as a ‘first step’ in improving housing security.
Kara: Financial sustainability about more than just money
The key ingredients of financial sustainability have been outlined by a senior sector figure speaking at The MJ’s Future Forum.
Social care precept 'avoided catastrophe'
The introduction of the social care precept ‘avoided catastrophe’ but the sector still faces a funding gap of at least £15bn, a senior figure told The MJ’s Future Forum today.
Corbyn launches attack on fair funding review
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has entered the debate over the fair funding review, claiming it ‘will make poorer areas even poorer’.
Treasury announces details of £95k exit payment cap
A £95,000 cap on local government exit payments will be implemented despite the sector being responsible for less than a tenth of public sector pay-outs.
Northamptonshire dithering could lead to reorganisation delay
A group of Northamptonshire MPs has urged the Government to sign off reorganisation plans for the county.
EXCLUSIVE: Call for inspection pause in case of Brexit hit
Council chiefs have urged Whitehall to be ready to ease pressures on the sector for up to six months if Brexit threatens to stretch capacity.
EXCLUSIVE: Fresh deadline for overlapping LEPs
Minister Jake Berry has laid down a fresh deadline for local enterprise partnerships (LEP) to remove overlapping boundaries in a desperate attempt to break the deadlock.