Mark Conrad
Confidence collapses as statutory services face meltdown
Research by LGA reveals councils will struggle to meet legal obligations within three years.
LGA: exit pay cap could inflate 'golden goodbye' values
The cash value of local government 'golden goodbyes' could increase if the Treasury proceeds with plans to cap public sector exit payments, Smith Square has warned.
'Give us powers, freedoms, flexibilities and funding', demands Jamieson
Smith Square’s new chairman, Cllr James Jamieson, has used the Brexit stalemate to demand greater council control over the way local communities are funded and managed.
LGA: third of councils unable to provide statutory duties within three years
A third of councils will run out of funding to provide their statutory duties by the end of this Parliament, the Local Government Association today warns.
Treasurers warn of SEND funding crisis
Council treasurers have issued a stark warning over Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) funding, claiming councils are facing a snowballing ‘crisis’ which shows ‘no sign of slowing down’.
Councils to play 'key' role as radicals return
Local authorities will play a ‘key’ role in assessing potentially radicalised individuals and families returning from conflict zones such as Syria, a senior police officer has said.
Is the Prevent strategy reaching maturity?
The Home Office is positioning its controversial Prevent counter-terror activity alongside town hall safeguarding activities. Mark Conrad speaks to key players involved in a major pilot of the new regime, dubbed ‘Operation Dovetail’
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.