Mark Conrad
Dilnot in hypothecated tax warning
The solution to the social care funding crisis should emerge from general taxation and means-testing reforms instead of hypothecated taxes, Sir Andrew Dilnot has warned.
Council has settled more than 180 abuse claims
Nottinghamshire CC has settled more than 180 civil claims linked to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), with 20 more settlements still under discussion.
Leader threatens legal challenge over tunnel
Thurrock Council’s leader has threatened a judicial review of Highways England’s plan for a Lower Thames Crossing.
MHCLG rejects performance call
Marsham Street has rejected MPs’ call to publish a regular breakdown of council performance across a range of services.
Finance settlement has 'gravest implications'
Councils have dismissed today’s Welsh Government’s finance settlement as a ‘bread and butter budget’ in which town halls ‘get the crumbs again’.
Chiefs to take on key policy roles for SOLACE
The Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) plans to strengthen its leadership team with a string of high-level appointments covering key policy areas.
Missed savings could lead to overspend
Kingston upon Thames LBC is expected to overspend by £4m this year after finding a third of planned savings may not be delivered on time.
Council tax collection drops further
Council tax collection rates in England declined slightly in 2017/18, new data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has revealed.
Isle of Wight open to new devolution deal after Government rejection
A senior Isle of Wight councillor has warned the island will ‘not be bounced into new arrangements’ after Whitehall ditched plans for a combined authority.
EXCLUSIVE: Future of new homes bonus cast in doubt
The future of the £7bn New Homes Bonus is in doubt, after Treasury ministers revealed they believe the policy has failed.
Concerns raised over new immigration policy
Senior social services managers have expressed concerns over the Conservative Party’s controversial immigration announcement, warning Theresa May’s post-Brexit policy must consider the skills councils need in lower-wage sectors
Northants publishes emergency plans to balance books
Troubled Northamptonshire CC has published emergency plans to stabilise its short-term finances by plugging last year’s £35m deficit, balancing its books this year and slashing future costs.
LGA's pre-Budget play in war against austerity
Smith Square has begun drawing local government’s battle lines as chancellor Phillip Hammond comes under renewed pressure to loosen his grip on council finances.
Questions over cost of Labour's local government promises
Senior Labour figures delivered a raft of local government-related policy announcements at their annual conference this week – but questions remain over how to fund fresh promises.
Conwy defends ‘monthly’ bins regime amid complaints
Conwy Council has defended its decision to move to monthly rubbish collections, amid claims a local trial led to increased fly-tipping and unsanitary streets.
Welfare support has 'collapsed' for many
One in six top-tier councils are not providing vital welfare services devolved to them just as the sector’s budget cuts hit hard.
The day the music died
Fans of the Brum-based reggae stars UB40 once complained that the bass vibration at one gig was so loud it was ‘altering heart rhythms’.
Auditors launch governance and accountability inquiry
Whitehall’s watchdog has launched an investigation into local government governance and accountability that will be delivered to MPs next year.
Liverpool latest to deliver Universal Credit warning
Thousands of residents in Liverpool will be forced into a ‘downward spiral of debt and destitution’ after the rollout of Universal Credit (UC), senior figures in the city have warned.
Brum to implement bin strike deal
Beleaguered Birmingham City Council is finally expected to implement the deal that ended an acrimonious bin strike – four months behind schedule.