Dan Peters
Councils in local virus data call
Councils have called for the Government to go further after it finally started to publish more coronavirus testing data.
Jenrick: We'll back local government
Robert Jenrick has promised that Whitehall will back local government in the same way councils ‘stepped up and supported people in their time of need’.
Jenrick announces more cash, income compensation and tax delay
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has announced more cash and new ways councils will be reimbursed for income lost as a result of coronavirus.
Walking and cycling plea to avoid 'car-mageddon'
A senior councillor has warned against a ‘car-mageddon’ recovery post-lockdown as he urged the sector to invest in walking and cycling.
Jenrick expected to announce plans to ease finance woes
Communities secretary Robert Jenrick is expected to announce new measures to help cash-strapped councils deal with the coronavirus pandemic when he speaks to the Local Government Association virtual conference tomorrow.
LGA shies away from reorganisation 'fight back'
The Local Government Association (LGA) has shied away from calls for it to launch a ‘fight back’ against reorganisation though senior members criticised any top-down approach.
MHCLG rejects statutory duties review
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has rejected calls to review statutory duties on councils, The MJ has learnt.
CIPFA mulls legal action against council
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has put aside £500,000 to fund potential legal action against Ealing LBC over a contract dispute.
UN expresses 'serious concern' over cladding
The United Nations’ special rapporteur on adequate housing has expressed ‘serious concern’ that 600,000 people in England continue to live in blocks with dangerous cladding.
Council may have to issue s114, warns CIPFA
Windsor & Maidenhead RBC may not be able to set a legal budget in future years and may have to issue a Section 114 notice, finance experts have warned.
Mitie and Interserve Support Services to merge
Outsourcer Mitie has proposed to merge with facilities management firm Interserve Support Services by the end of the year in a £271m deal.
Ombudsman creates specialist coronavirus unit ahead of complaints service reopening
A specialist unit has been created to deal with coronavirus complaints by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman as it resumes its work.
Council urges residents to stick to two metre rule
Luton BC has urged its residents to continue to stick to socially distancing by two metres despite the Government easing the rule.
Biggs: Westferry revelations have 'blown apart' confidence in planning system
The latest revelations about the controversial Westferry Printworks application have ‘blown apart’ confidence in the planning system under local government secretary Robert Jenrick, Tower Hamlets LBC’s mayor, John Biggs, has said.
Manchester at risk of failing to fulfil statutory duties
Manchester City Council’s leader has expressed fears that the council will be unable to fulfil its statutory duties.
'Councils crucial to meeting carbon target'
The UK’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 can only be reached with the contribution of councils, according to a new coalition.
Financial crisis for capital's councils to stretch into 2021/22, MPs warned
The financial crisis facing London’s councils will stretch beyond the end of this financial year, the capital’s MPs have been warned.
Making a bigger impact on value for money
COVID-19 may have had an impact on the work programme, but boss of the National Audit Office Gareth Davies says he is ‘determined’ the scrutiny body will have more of an influence on value for money. Dan Peters reports.
Woolas backs rough sleeping fund
Former local government minister Phil Woolas has backed a social impact fund that promises to house 2,000 rough sleepers by the end of 2020.
Fresh reorganisation offensive leaves districts quaking
The County Councils’ Network (CCN) has launched a fresh offensive to rip up the local government map as the country emerges from the shadow of coronavirus.
