William Eichler
DEFRA withholds £6m of air quality funding
Around £6m in funding promised to local authorities to help tackle air pollution will be withheld, a Government spokesperson has confirmed.
Public health directors call for better regulation of private rented sector
Public health directors have welcomed measures aimed at improving social housing but called for more action to tackle poor conditions in the private sector.
Public inquiry into Thurrock’s financial failure rejected
The Government has rejected a request for a public inquiry into Thurrock Council’s financial failure and levels of debt.
Finley Boden: Council apologises for ‘missed opportunities’
Derbyshire CC has apologised for the ‘missed opportunities’ to do more to safeguard 10-month-old Finley Boden who was murdered on Christmas Day in 2020.
'Victorian era' electoral registration failing voters, MPs warn
The electoral registration system is ‘neither effective nor efficient’ and is disenfranchising millions, MPs have warned.
PAC: Government has ‘no roadmap’ for fixing social care
The Government has ‘no roadmap’ for fixing the failing social care system and ‘nothing meaningful’ in place that might demonstrate progress, MPs have warned.
Court rules against police powers for West Midlands mayor
The High Court has ruled against the Government’s plans to merge the role of the West Midlands police and crime commissioner (PCC) with the regional mayor.
Pothole-riddled roads need £16bn investment, study finds
The condition of roads in England and Wales has continued to decline despite councils spending £144m filling in two million potholes this financial year.
Counter-extremism faces ‘unprecedented challenges’
The battle against radicalisation at the local level faces ‘unprecedented challenges’ due to a lack of funding, local authority leaders have warned.
LTNs popular and effective, leaked report says
Low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) are popular and effective, a leaked report from the Department for Transport (DfT) has found.
Budget: Household Support Fund extended
A scheme aimed at supporting the most vulnerable households will be extended for another six months, chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced in the Budget.
Combined authority criticised for ‘inconsistent’ Best Value approach
The Government has criticised the West of England Combined Authority for what it describes as ‘inconsistent action’ over flagged value for money concerns.
Levelling up requires ‘meaningful’ devolution, business group says
Business leaders have called for ‘meaningful decision-making powers’ to be devolved to local authorities to help boost left-behind regions.
Brum proposes £300m cuts
Cash-strapped Birmingham City Council will cut spending on services by £300m to balance its books.
Gove: Short-term lets to require planning permission
Second-home owners will have to seek planning permission for future short-term lets, the Government has announced.
Council leaders call for review of Ukrainian refugee scheme
Council leaders have called for an urgent review of funding for Ukrainian refugees as 9,000 have reported as homeless and more need longer-term support.
Warwickshire probe over councillor SEND comments
Warwickshire CC has launched an investigation after a video showed councillors making disparaging remarks about children with special educational needs.
Medway requests emergency loan
Medway Council has asked the Government for an emergency loan to help the struggling local authority avoid effective bankruptcy.
Council hands police file on £1m pay-outs
A file relating to allegedly unlawful exit payments to managers at Northumberland CC has been handed to police.
‘Three strikes and you’re out’ social housing plans announced
Social landlords could soon be empowered to evict anti-social tenants and ban them from applying for council housing under the Government’s new plans.
