Chris Mahony
Shortcomings revealed in second child murder case
A second court case in a month has revealed serious shortcomings in how local agencies responded to allegations of abuse shortly before a child’s murder.
Ongoing tensions highlighted at Edinburgh
An independent review of whistleblowing and the wider culture at Edinburgh City Council has highlighted the impact of ongoing tensions between elected members.
Spielman: No silver bullet for children's social care
Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman has warned there is no ‘silver bullet’ to the long-term problems in the children’s social care sector.
DLUHC apologises for Grenfell failures
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has apologised for failures in the lead up to the Grenfell Tower fire.
Powers warning ahead of new deals
A new report today warns areas reluctant to accept directly-elected leaders in the next wave of devolution deals may be offered ‘fewer powers and flexibilities’.
Welsh Government to work with local authorities on council tax reform
The Welsh Government has pledged to work with local authorities in revamping council tax following a consultation to be launched next year.
Pickles committee calls for more freedoms and resources for councils
A select committee whose members include ex-communities secretary Lord Pickles has said councils must be given new freedoms and resources to support recovery from coronavirus.
Nandy claims Government levelling up approach in 'disarray'
The shadow communities secretary Lisa Nandy has claimed the Government’s approach to levelling up is in disarray amid reports the White Paper has been delayed.
Councils told to face up to financial challenges
Local authorities urged to face up to the tough financial decisions in wake of Wirral and Peterborough reviews.
Council firm loses millions of pounds
A property development firm established by Cambridgeshire CC to provide a new revenue stream lost £3.4m last year.
Minister eyes council intervention
The Northern Ireland communities minister has said she will not hesitate to intervene in troubled Mid and East Antrim BC.
Pincher defends planning reforms
The Government’s revised proposals for planning reforms will seek to make the system more accessible, transparent and predictable, housing minister Christopher Pincher told peers today.
Powys' savings off target
Powys CC’s savings plans are 22% off target more than halfway through the financial year, senior councillors have been warned.
Commissioners to monitor Slough improvement plan
Mismanagement and a dysfunctional culture contributed to Slough Council’s financial meltdown, two Government-ordered reviews have concluded.
Driscoll backs regional wealth funds
The Government should create regional wealth funds that could borrow hundreds of millions of pounds to invest in firms and create jobs, North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll said in a paper published today.
Pension funds urged to help achieve green economy switch
Parliamentarians have urged local government pension funds to play an active role in achieving a ‘just transition’ to a green economy.
EXCLUSIVE: Gove to be quizzed on councillor security
MPs are to question local government secretary Michael Gove on the security of councillors following last week’s fatal attack on MP David Amess.
Sunak warned of greater future costs without public service investment
Chancellor Rishi Sunak must swiftly invest in public services hit hardest by the pandemic or face much greater costs down the line, a report has warned.
Think-tank in call for wellbeing budgets
The Government should introduce ‘wellbeing budgets’ that look beyond gross domestic product (GDP) to reduce regional health inequalities, a think-tank has urged.
Warrington to be hit by statutory recommendation
Auditors are expected to issue a statutory recommendation over Warrington Council’s minimum revenue position (MRP) amid ongoing concern over its investment strategy and financial health.
