Whitehall
£5.2bn and counting
The Local Government Association (LGA) will argue the sector faces a £5.2bn funding gap in 2020/21 despite believing the figure is an underestimate, The MJ understands.
EXCLUSIVE: Fresh demand for place-based budgets
A fresh demand for place-based budgets has been made by the co-chair of an independent panel that first made the call five years ago.
Committee in council confidence risk warning
Confidence in councils to provide vital services is at risk of being damaged, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has said in a damning report released today.
EXCLUSIVE: Brexit blow as councils miss MHCLG deadline
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick’s flagship Brexit policy has been dealt a blow after dozens of councils missed the deadline for nominating a lead officer.
LEP chairs still waiting for PM meeting
An overdue Prime Minister’s meeting of local enterprise partnership (LEP) chairs has not been scheduled, with Number 10 yet to commit to continuing the twice-yearly gatherings.
Future of work survey to inform thinking
Local government workers have been invited to take part in a new survey on the future of work.
Councils push for powers to regulate Airbnb accommodation
Bath & North East Somerset Council has joined calls for powers to regulate Airbnb accommodation.
Unprecedented joint Spending Review bid floated
An unprecedented joint bid could be made to next year’s Spending Review by Core Cities, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Homes England.
Jenrick to check councils' borrowing bids
New local government secretary Robert Jenrick will take a fresh look at councils excessively borrowing for commercial reasons, The MJ understands.
Commissioners urge NAO to monitor auditor powers
The National Audit Office (NAO) should monitor auditors’ use of additional powers and use this to produce a report to help identify sector-wide risks and issues, the Government-appointed commissioners overseeing under-fire Northamptonshire CC (NCC) have urged.
Treasury renews support for Northern Powerhouse
The Treasury has renewed support for the Northern Powerhouse project as it makes rebalancing the economy one of its core objectives.
Give councils the powers, funding and tools they need to deliver
James Jamieson has a message for Boris Johnson: Give us the powers, freedoms, flexibilities and funding and we will deliver your post-Brexit vision that transforms this country for the better.
Public servants must work together to navigate turbulent times
Graeme McDonald says the uncertain political waters we're in require greater emphasis on the need for genuine collaboration and on resisting the temptation to become entrenched in our organisational perspectives.
Funeral review could lead to new burdens
A review of funeral services could lead to a ratings system for the industry and hand responsibility for poor practice to local government.
EXCLUSIVE: Jenrick pledges to improve Brexit communications
New local government secretary Robert Jenrick has promised to make communication from Whitehall on Brexit more streamlined and clearer than in the past, The MJ understands.
Tourism levy meeting call
Core Cities has called for a meeting with new culture secretary Nicky Morgan and her ministers to discuss the idea of a hotel room levy.
Directors urge action ahead of new immigration rules
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has urged action as Government considers whether to exempt the care sector from new immigration rules.
Work begins on overhaul of asylum dispersal
Work will begin this summer on reforming the system for accommodating asylum seekers arriving in the country.
Government stands firm after Pickles plea
The Government has said it ‘would not be appropriate’ to pay legal costs to whistleblowers in electoral fraud cases despite a former communities secretary revealing he fought for it to happen.
Chancellor announces fast-tracked Spending Review
The Government will rush through a one-year Spending Review to help prepare for Brexit.