MJ reporter
Survey reveals interest in PSAA scheme
Public Sector Audit Appointments has a battle on to maintain the number of organisations signed up to its national auditor appointment scheme.
Winning on social housing in Hull
The combination of austerity and welfare reform led Hull City Council to rethink its support for its social housing tenants. The end result has been an award winning service. The MJ reports.
Cut for IDeA's sector-led improvement grant
The Government has again chipped away at the grant for sector-led improvement and moved to expand the organisations that can spend the cash.
Researchers to look at '200-mile long Whitehall screwdriver'
Experts have laid out their plans to examine whether the Government’s 20-year-old intervention regime remains fit-for-purpose.
Qualified opinion for Lancashire accounts
Lancashire CC’s auditors have issued a qualified opinion on the county’s value for money work amid lingering concerns over children’s services and internal controls.
Nottinghamshire leader steps up unitary push
Nottinghamshire CC’s leader has stepped up her push for a unitary council to cover the county.
LGA group elects new deputy leader
Gedling BC's Michael Payne was the Labour group's vice chair from 2015-2016
Standards committee investigation after High Court ruling
A former deputy leader of Sandwell MBC who denies claims of serious misconduct in office will face a full investigation following a High Court ruling.
North Ayrshire Council chief executive appointed to Scottish youth charity
North Ayrshire Council’s chief executive, Elma Murray, has been appointed as the chair of Scotland’s youth information and citizenship charity.
Miller attacks Whitehall’s welfare reform policies
The president of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives has launched a scathing attack on the Government’s welfare reform policies.
A roaring success for Wolves at The MJ Achievement Awards
It was Wolverhampton’s night last week when the city council was named Local Authority of the Year at The MJ Awards at London’s Hilton Hotel, Park Lane.
Errors plague Plymouth vote
Plymouth City Council has apologised after failing to include thousands of votes in a General Election declaration.
Lumley to present MJ awards
The MJ has some Absolutely Fabulous news to announce about The MJ Awards gala night on 15 June – our star presenter will be actress and broadcaster Joanna Lumley.
Counties demand U-turn on health funding cuts
Counties have demanded a reversal of planned cuts to public health funding.
£10,000 mortgage payment to tempt new social workers
Derby City Council has offered new social workers £10,000 towards a mortgage in what it claims to be the first incentive scheme of its kind in the UK.
Bid to simplify authorities’ accounts ‘should go further’
A senior council finance chief has questioned the success of efforts to make local government accounts shorter, simpler and more relevant to the public.
Tory Barnet to leave LGA
Conservative-run Barnet LBC has confirmed it will leave the Local Government Association (LGA) tomorrow in a bid to make savings.
Ofsted changes ‘do not go far enough’
Proposed changes to Ofsted inspections of children’s services do not go far enough, council chiefs have said.
Digital standards drive launched
New standards designed to improve the quality of council services delivered digitally will be launched at the end of this month.
NHS rate relief demands ‘unfounded’
Applications for mandatory business rate relief from NHS trusts claiming they are charities are ‘unfounded,’ the Local Government Association (LGA) has told councils.