Dan Peters
COSLA conference: Ex-minister hints at council tax cap relaxation
A former SNP minister has suggested there could be a relaxation of the cap on council tax.
COSLA conference: Sturgeon promises 'biggest decentralisation of power' in two decades
The results of the Scottish Government’s local governance review will bring the ‘biggest decentralisation of power’ in the 20 years since devolution, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has promised.
COSLA conference: Minister 'totally understands' cuts complaints
Cabinet secretary for communities and local government, Aileen Campbell, has said she ‘totally understands’ complaints of ‘constant cuts’ from councils.
COSLA conference: 'Brexit could undermine good work by councils'
Brexit threatens to undermine the ‘good work’ being done by Scottish councils and the Scottish Government, cabinet secretary for communities and local government, Aileen Campbell has said.
COSLA conference: Ex-PM Brown says Scottish Government must do more on child poverty
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has launched a scathing attack on the Scottish Government’s efforts to tackle the ‘nationwide epidemic’ of child poverty.
COSLA conference: 'Devolved powers have stopped at Holyrood'
It is a ‘sad paradox’ of devolution that powers handed to Scotland 20 years ago have stopped at Holyrood, the president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has said.
DfE’s children’s review stalled
A Department for Education (DfE) review to consider the role of councils in relation to children has been mothballed after its launch three years ago, The MJ has learned.
New leadership role to boost place-based working
Local government’s sole representative on the new National Leadership Centre’s (NLC) board wants to use her role to boost place-based ways of working.
Devolution legislation planned for Queen's Speech
The Government is planning to launch the next round of devolution legislation in the Queen’s Speech, The MJ understands.
Call for new audit oversight body
A new type of oversight body for local audit that would take a strategic approach to addressing the sector’s sustainability challenges is needed, a top auditor has suggested.
Prospering the Warrington way
In the wake of austerity, Warrington’s commercial strategy – mixing small investment with smart aquisitions – is proving a financial success. Dan Peters reports.
Short notice for Brexit exercises
Various Brexit scenario exercises involving local government have been taking place at very short notice, The MJ understands.
Election and Brexit could hit peer review plans
A General Election before March would put the Local Government Association (LGA) at risk of failing to deliver the number of peer challenges demanded by Whitehall.
EXCLUSIVE: Government silent on no-deal cloud risks
The Government has refused to reveal if all major providers of cloud-based services are aware of the risks a no-deal Brexit may bring.
EXCLUSIVE: Funding withheld from LEPs
Five local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) have had capacity funding withheld in 2019/20 because they have not resolved overlaps, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has confirmed.
Trading services expenditure increases by third
Local authority expenditure on trading services rose by a third in real terms from 2017/18 to 2018/19, new statistics have revealed.
Norfolk considers £16m new savings
Norfolk CC is considering new savings of £15.8m next year on top of already-agreed savings of £31.1m in 2020/21.
Blackpool tops deprivation index
Neighbourhoods in Blackpool account for eight of the 10 most deprived nationally, according to the latest English indices of deprivation (ID).
EXCLUSIVE: Core Cities' £28bn Shared Prosperity Fund warning
The proposed UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) must be worth at least £28bn over seven years if the UK is to deliver its devolved policy objectives, a leading sector body has warned.
Talks paused over replacing Committee of the Regions
Talks over the Government’s commitment to replicate the European Committee of the Regions have been paused as the UK's Brexit deadline looms.