Martin Ford
Barrow urged to ‘maintain momentum’
New ways of working and increased staff capacity will be required to tackle the challenges faced by Barrow BC, a corporate peer challenge has concluded.
Government prepares care homes for coronavirus surge
Councils will be asked to ‘take strong action’ against care homes that ignore new restrictions on movement as part of the Government’s winter plan for the sector.
Ombudsman calls for 'level playing field'
‘Weak’ social care providers are avoiding public accountability, the local government ombudsman has said.
Chief executive to retire after 43 years
The chief executive of Durham Council, Terry Collins, has announced his retirement following a 43-year career in local government.
Children's trust chairman quits
The chairman of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust has resigned after the county council raised concerns over the appointment.
Pay boost for care workers following tribunal
A group of homecare workers have been awarded £100,000 in backdated pay in a tribunal ruling that could have further implications for the sector.
Peterborough seeks financial rescue package
Peterborough City Council is in talks with the Government over plans to rescue its finances.
Councils warn of 'housebuilding fiasco'
New government housing targets will lead to a north-south divide in England, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Care home lockdowns on rise
A growing number of councils have imposed lockdowns on care homes in response to rising numbers of coronavirus cases.
Funds ‘not reaching care frontline’
Care England has said bureaucratic hoops are preventing funding from reaching providers.
Think-tank proposes axing hundreds of councils
England’s 349 councils should be replaced with 69 unitary authorities, a think-tank has argued.
Political row over joint chief executive talks
Opposition councillors at Eden DC are preparing a vote of no confidence amid proposals to appoint a joint chief executive.
Social care directors ‘envious’ of NHS
A representative of local government social care directors has told MPs they view better-resourced health counterparts with ‘envy’.
Local government minister quits
Simon Clarke said he was leaving the Government for 'purely personal reasons’.
Councils plead for further devolution
Local authorities require more devolved powers to drive improvements in health and social care, MPs have been told.
Birmingham proposes to adopt ‘Rooney rule’
Birmingham City Council is proposing to mandate at least one woman and one BAME candidate are shortlisted for every job vacancy.
Scottish councils release blueprint for change
A local government blueprint laying out the changes required to unlock councils’ full potential has been published by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) today.
Cumbria plots course for reorganisation
The county council has drawn up a business case for a single unitary council that could produce savings of up to £52m.
Council-owned energy company to close
Robin Hood Energy is to be closed by Nottingham City Council after five years.
Row over lockdown easing
Political tensions have risen over the lifting of local lockdown restrictions in Greater Manchester.
