Mark Conrad
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.
London Boroughs adept at SEND, but with some disparity
London’s councils are generally adept at managing pupils with special educational needs (SEND), but there is significant disparity between the performance of some schools, a study has concluded.
Holyrood urged to find extra cash for Glasgow
Scotland’s finance secretary, Derek MacKay, is under renewed pressure to find additional funding for Glasgow City Council amid fears over the sustainability of the authority’s budget.
Labour vows to make adult's social care free
Labour’s shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has announced he will fund ‘personal care free at the point of use’ across England if the party wins the next general election.
Basildon fears over influx of London homeless
Basildon BC councillors have been reassured that London boroughs will not disown their homeless residents when they are placed there.
LGPS 'long way' from being forced to ditch active
Council pension experts believe the sector is a ‘long way’ from being compelled to slash costs through passive investment management despite renewed Treasury pressure.
Details of Prevent review published
Home Office ministers have published the crucial terms of reference for an independent review of its Prevent strategy.
Directors dismiss 'recruiting sergeants' claim
Children’s services directors have dismissed as ‘wholly inappropriate’ MPs’ claims that councils are acting as inadvertent ‘recruiting sergeants’ for drugs gangs.
Councils spend £1bn on shopping centres
Councils have committed more than £1bn between 2106 and 2020 by investing in local shopping centres, a study has revealed.
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.