Dan Peters
Video conferencing first at council meeting
A council used software to help decide key planning applications in what is believed to be the first meeting of its kind in the country.
Lack of vital worker protection ‘shameful’
Local government secretary, Robert Jenrick, has demanded that local government workers get access to crucial personal protective equipment (PPE) amid the coronavirus crisis.
Outsourcers change coronavirus policy
Outsourcer Amey has U-turned to give full pay to workers off sick with coronavirus or those self-isolating during the current health emergency.
Councils start to pay out business grants
Thousands of small firms have begun to receive £25,000 cash grants from councils as part of a £22bn government package in response to COVID-19.
Transparency tools made available to pension schemes
The first standalone system to provide information on costs from different investment managers has been made available to every local government pension scheme (LGPS) and pool.
Care providers in law change call
Care providers have pleaded with Prime Minister Boris Johnson to change the law to boost staff numbers in the sector during the COVID-19 outbreak.
EXCLUSIVE: No Whitehall standstill despite coronavirus
Whitehall officials have insisted that they want to make progress with other government business despite the coronavirus crisis.
EXCLUSIVE: Whitehall mulls s114 suspension or another cash bailout
Whitehall is weighing up another cash bailout or suspending Section 114 rules with at least 10% of councils at risk of financial meltdown, The MJ understands.
Finance directors told to get cash to firms quickly
Whitehall officials have suggested that English council finance directors redeploy resources and take on temporary staff to ensure businesses receive promised government grants quickly.
Parking charges for social care and NHS workers suspended
On-street and pay and display car parking charges for social care and NHS workers will be suspended.
End of week rough sleeping deadline
Councils have been asked to support rough sleepers into accommodation by the end of the week amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Councils face barriers as they try to tackle fraud
Local authorities are still encountering barriers to tackling fraud effectively, a new document has highlighted.
Pulling together to help those in need
Jacqui Gedman tells Dan Peters that Kirkless MBC is up to the challenge of COVID-19, but it is ‘much bigger than the council – it’s a real community effort’.
EXCLUSIVE: Coronavirus hubs must be ready to step in if system fails - Jenrick
The network of hubs being created to support people at very high risk amid the coronavirus crisis must be ready to help with crucial deliveries, local government secretary Robert Jenrick has said.
EXCLUSIVE: Ministry to look at easing sector burdens
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials have said they will look at further easing the burdens on the sector amid the coronavirus crisis.
LGA chief in ransomware warning
The impact of a successful ransomware attack amid the coronavirus crisis could be catastrophic, Local Government Association (LGA) chief executive, Mark Lloyd has warned.
Councils put at heart of coronavirus response
Councils will be put at the heart of the response to coronavirus by delivering a national network of support to people at very high risk.
Race to implement economic support package
Council finance officials and civil servants have raced to work out how to implement the Government’s enhanced package of economic support for coronavirus-affected businesses.
Jenrick in coronavirus cash flow appeal
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has urged councils experiencing cash flow issues as a result of coronavirus to get in touch.
Boris: Councils have to 'do what it takes' to beat crisis
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told local government it has to ‘do what it takes’ to beat the coronavirus crisis.