Whitehall
Voter ID rollout could cost £20m
Calls to halt trials of voter ID have been renewed after Cabinet Office documents showed it could cost £20m to roll out.
'Knock-on effects' warning over LEP deadline
A policy expert has added his criticism to the ‘overly-hasty’ September deadline for reformed Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) geographies and warned of ‘knock-on effects’.
Minister praises councils' Prevent role
Minister Ben Wallace has said he expects ‘natural variations’ in the delivery of local counter-terror strategies as Whitehall hands greater responsibility for Prevent to councils.
Simplified rates retention approach mooted
A separate grant to reward councils that help Government achieve its policy objectives under business rates retention could be introduced, The MJ understands.
Government prepared to consider 'Amazon tax' - Hammond
Chancellor Philip Hammond has said the Government would be ‘prepared to consider a tax on online platform businesses based on the value generated’.
Whiteman: NHS will benefit most from Spending Review
Councils were this week warned not to expect a significant windfall in next spring’s Spending Review by the man who represents local government finance officers.
Public votes proposed in civil society strategy
Communities could be put in charge of facilities and decision-making put to public votes under proposals published by the Government today.
Whitehall attempts to reassure councils on Brexit
Whitehall has insisted it is working to help councils prepare for a hard Brexit despite claims some authorities have been left to fend for themselves.
LEPs in Whitehall engagement warning
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have privately warned Whitehall departments they must improve their engagement if they are to deliver a post-Brexit boost to the UK, The MJ has learnt.
Localis calls for 'big bang' devolution approach
Think-tank Localis has called for a ‘big bang approach’ to recast the relationship between Whitehall and councils.
Income-generating investments announced by councils
Two more councils have announced income-generating investments as town halls seek the finances required to protect key services amid continued austerity.
No timescale for 100% business rates retention
The Government has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to 100% business rates retention but ignored calls to detail a timeframe for implementation.
LEPs face race against time
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) face a race against time to reconfigure and register as legal entities, amid a threat from ministers to withhold growth fund cash.
Labour proposes national youth services body
Senior Labour Party figures have announced plans to establish a national body to oversee future statutory youth services across local authorities.
New Homes Bonus 'in the mix'
The New Homes Bonus may continue beyond 2020, Whitehall sources have suggested.
MPs call for devolution expansion
The current programme of English devolution to combined authorities and mayors should be expanded and greater powers devolved, MPs have said.
Government urged to halt voter ID
Ministers have come under renewed pressure to halt plans to expand compulsory voter ID pilots.
Re: ?
When Diary writes an email it sometimes agonises over what to put in the subject line.
Ministers back company delay
Ministers have approved a request for Worcestershire CC’s new children’s social care company to be launched six months later than planned.
Complaints increase while satisfaction drops
Complaints to the ombudsman have increased by 3.5% while Smith Square data has revealed the lowest level of residents’ satisfaction with councils since polling began.