Mark Conrad
ID could drive residents to 'less secure' postal voting
Residents could be more likely to apply for less secure postal votes if polling station ID requirements become too onerous, a senior political strategist has warned.
Social care green paper delayed - again
The long-awaited social care green paper has been further delayed until the autumn after repeated Whitehall insistencies it was on track.
'Laddish' culture at Cardiff
More than half of female councillors at Cardiff City Council have experienced bullying or intimidation in the last year, a survey of members has found.
Fresh finance warning for Northamptonshire CC
Northamptonshire CC’s finance director has issued an early warning the county already risks missing key savings targets that enabled it to agree a legal budget.
Councils 'overwhelming' justice system
The incoming head of the family division of the High Court has attacked councils for fuelling the applications ‘crisis’ overwhelming the justice system.
Audit verdict on broadband venture
Auditors have handed Aylesbury Vale DC 22 recommendations to improve its commercial projects after the sale of its broadband company.
Khan talks extremism with LGA
Britain’s commissioner for countering extremism met with senior sector figures yesterday to discuss concerns over long-term funding and the response to the far-right threat.
Council staff vote for industrial action
Staff at East Dunbartonshire Council have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action over planned changes to the workforce’s terms and conditions.
Grenfell council leader pays tribute
Kensington & Chelsea RLBC’s leader has praised the families affected and paid tribute to those who died a year on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
LGA in Right to Buy warning
Councils’ ability to replace homes sold under Right to Buy (RTB) will be effectively eliminated within five years, a new study for the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Local input key to new-look counter terrorism strategies
Putting councils at the centre of counter-terror strategies could allay community fears they are a front for state surveillance, experts have told The MJ.
Javid to give councils access to intelligence files
Councils will be given access to a more intelligence and police files under Home Office plans to reform the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy and share responsibility for tackling radicalisation.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils take key Prevent strategy role
Councils have been handed administrative control of the controversial Prevent counter-terror strategy, as ministers seek to make it more amenable to communities, The MJ has learned.
Brokenshire dodges Right to Buy question
Housing secretary James Brokenshire has refused to disclose how much councils have been required to pay back to the Treasury in Right to Buy (RTB) receipts.
Council warning after schools cash injection
Councils have warned that a £50m investment to create state-of-the-art school places for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) should not be a one-off cash injection.
Auditor attacks Northamptonshire reporting
Financial reporting at Northamptonshire CC was too ‘vague’ and lacked crucial detail prior to the county’s Section 114 notice, a new audit report has revealed.
LGA in homes warning
Up to 165,000 homes could be built without council support if the Government ploughs ahead with controversial planning policy changes, town halls warned today.
Decisions, decisions
Mark Conrad reports from a recent round table tackling the issue of effective decision-making in local government.
Standards split between officers and councillors
Councillors and officers are divided over the future of the standards regime, with politicians backing the existing approach dismissed as a ‘toothless tiger’ by officials.
EXCLUSIVE: Ministry considers Right to Buy rule change
Ministers are considering changes to the use of Right to Buy (RtB) receipts amid claims current rules are a ‘shameful cash grab’ by the Government.