Paul Marinko
Welsh council tax rises finalised
The average council tax rise for Welsh local authorities will be just over 8% next year.
Jenrick leads new charge to axe nutrient neutrality laws
Former housing secretary Robert Jenrick is leading Tory calls for the Government to renew efforts to axe nutrient neutrality laws and boost house building.
Tees Valley councils to learn extent of financial risk from Teeswork scheme
The financial risk faced by the five councils within the Tees Valley Combined Authority is set to be laid bare in top legal advice.
Commission proposes plan for private sector to unblock planning system
A report has called for the private sector to invest in a ‘pipeline fund’ aimed at clearing the planning backlog and boosting regeneration.
New analysis says housing building target needs to rise
England could need more than 500,000 new homes every year, according to analysis just released.
Oflog independence row stems from broken relationships
The concerns over Oflog’s independence illustrate councils’ low level of faith in Government, which stems from Government’s evident low level of faith in local authorities, says Paul Marinko.
Hitting the right notes
Kate Kennally deployed a musical metaphor on receiving the Chief Executive of the Year prize at The MJ Achievement Awards 2023. Here she talks to Paul Marinko about winning the title and how she has conducted Cornwall Council to success.
Tackling homelessness
Homelessness is piling pressure on squeezed council budgets. The MJ and the National Audit Office teamed up to bring council chief executives and senior managers together in Manchester to get under the skin of the issue. Paul Marinko reports.
Weighing up the ALMO conundrum
As quick as councils decide to ditch the ALMO housing model, fans of the concept fight back. Paul Marinko takes a look at the argument.
Labour to extend Awaab's Law
Shadow housing secretary Angela Rayner has committed a future Labour government to extending Awaab’s Law to cover private landlords.
NILGA welcomes chance of return to Stormont rule
Local government in Northern Ireland has welcomed the news of a possible return to rule at Stormont.
ALACE warns of mental health risk from inspections
The chief executives’ trade union has revealed it already supports officers responding to inspection reports, as mental health fears grow with the emergence of watchdog Oflog.
Isle of Wight debt accounts for 42% of annual budget
Isle of Wight Council has insisted it borrows to invest in essential projects after revealing its debt amounts to 42% of the authority’s annual budget.
No promise of extra funding from Rayner
Shadow levelling up secretary Angela Rayner has avoided committing Labour to providing local government with additional funding if the party wins the impending General Election.
Growing pressures see care providers close services
A new report has found 43% of care providers closed services or handed back contracts last year in response to growing financial and workforce pressures.
Research finds ALMOs outperforming in-house council teams
New analysis has claimed arms-length management organisations (ALMOs) have outperformed councils where housing is managed internally.
Middlesbrough set to ask for Government support in bid to avoid s114
Middlesbrough Council is set to ask the Government for Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) as it battles to achieve a balanced budget for 2024-25 and avoid issuing a section 114.
Ban on councils boycotting Israel moves forward
MPs have voted through legislation that aims to ban councils from launching boycotts of Israeli goods.
Bristol in £25m contract with scandal-hit IT firm
Bristol City Council has been revealed to have an IT contract worth £25m with scandal-hit firm Fujitsu.
£2.9bn private investment in freeports says Gove
Michael Gove has said new freeports have attracted £2.9bn of investment and created 6,000 jobs since they were established in 2022.