Paul Marinko
Government to strengthen community role in planning
The Government has made clear it intends to strengthen the role of communities in new planning legislation.
Future Forum: Go hyper-local to avoid 'grim' future
The Government needs to provide county deals quickly and councils need to simultaneously ‘go hyper-local’ to avoid a ‘grim’ future, according to the vice-chair of the Association of County Chief Executives (ACCE).
Assessing Prevent
The voices of Prevent’s detractors have become louder. But, for those with experience of the initiative within local government, cutting councils out of the loop will fail to solve the problems. Paul Marinko reports.
Fresh LGA call after 'bed blocking' doubles
The Local Government Association (LGA) has called for ‘urgent action’ to support social care after new figures revealed hospital ‘bed blockers’ now outnumber COVID-19 patients.
Sacked director to face no further action from police
A South Somerset DC director sacked after allegedly using furloughed council staff to work on her private vineyard will face no further action from police.
Town halls must find more cash for wages
Councils have been warned they will have to find more in their budgets to fund the sector’s increasing wage bill.
Council leader bemoans lack of diversity in interim market
The leader of crisis-hit Slough BC has said the interim market is made up of ‘pale stale males’ as the council looks to make senior recruitment reflect the diversity of the borough.
Extra steps taken to prevent poll fraud in Tower Hamlets
The chief executive of the Electoral Commission has revealed that extra steps have been taken to address the risk of electoral fraud in Tower Hamlets.
Labour urges Government to overhaul business rates
Labour has said the Government must overhaul the business rates system to help businesses thrive in the face of a cost-of-living crisis.
Union suspends councillors over pay dispute
Suspensions including that of the council leader were announced by Unite during a rally for striking bin lorry drivers.
Councils weigh up risks over Gazprom contracts
Councils caught up in energy deals with state-owned Russian gas company Gazprom have been warned they are ‘caught between the proverbial rock and hard place’ when trying to escape agreements.
Three councils sign shared services agreement
Basildon, Brentwood and Castle Point BC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities for partnership and collaborative working.
Coventry bin dispute escalates after ACAS ruling
The ongoing strike by Coventry refuse workers could stretch into the summer after a fierce war of words escalated between the council and union Unite.
Basildon told to develop narrative after years of uncertainty
Basildon BC needs to develop a ‘simple but strong and effective narrative’ for its area after four political changes in five years created uncertainty, a Local Government Association corporate peer challenge has urged.
Cunningham gets top job at Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury BC has appointed Alistair Cunningham as its new chief executive.
Two more council partnerships scrapped
Two more council partnerships have been scrapped, it has emerged.
Copeland to ask Government for £1.5m capitalisation
Copeland BC is to ask ministers for access to £1.5m in support after a Government-commissioned review laid bare the financial issues facing the authority.
Scots councils angry after Sturgeon snub
Scottish councils have reacted angrily after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon refused to meet them over the recent funding settlement.
Levelling up funding failing to focus on social issues, finds research
Government levelling up funding is failing to focus on social issues and misses targetting crucial problems, according to new research.
Gove reveals new cladding plan
Michael Gove has vowed to use the law or increase taxes on developers if they refuse to pay for the removal of unsafe cladding.
