William Eichler
Javid announces public health duty to tackle violent crime
Home secretary Sajid Javid has announced a new legal duty that will require local authorities to prevent and tackle serious violence.
LEPs ‘lack transparency’ despite receiving £12bn of Government funding
The Government has ‘no real understanding’ of the impact of the £12bn Local Growth Fund, MPs said today.
Council chiefs warn of ‘children’s mental health crisis’
Local authority leaders have warned that social services are seeing more than 560 cases of children with mental health disorders every day – an increase of more than 50% in just four years.
Councils build ‘highest number’ of houses since 1990
More than 13,000 new homes were delivered by local authorities last year, town planners have calculated – the highest number since 1990.
Council makes ‘radical move’ to buy town centre
Knowsley MBC has made an offer to buy Kirkby town centre in what it describes as a ‘radical move’.
EU citizens ‘denied’ vote in European elections
EU citizens living in the UK complained of having their right to vote for an MEP ‘denied’.
Hull commits £2m to improve ‘inadequate’ children’s services
Hull City Council has promised to ‘accelerate’ its improvement plans and invest an extra £2m into its children’s services after they were rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted.
Coventry ordered to implement clean air zone
Coventry City Council has accused the Government of using ‘heavy handed’ tactics after it was ordered to implement a clean air zone.
Council governance systems ‘inadequate’ for austerity era
The Government has not done enough to ensure that governance systems in local authorities are suitable for an ‘era of financial pressure and rapid change,' MPs have warned.
Debenhams’ CVA to cost councils £8.5m in rates
Local authorities are expected to lose millions of pounds worth of business rates due to Debenhams' financial difficulties, experts have said.
London council budgets slashed 17% over last decade
London’s local authority budgets have dropped by nearly a fifth – 17% – per head over the last eight years, a new study has revealed.
‘Smart bins’ and tax cuts could help increase recycling rates - report
Local authorities could use ‘smart bins’ and council tax cuts to help drive up recycling rates in their areas, a new study has suggested.
Government sidesteps homelessness emergency call
The Mayor of Greater Manchester has called on the Government to declare a ‘homelessness emergency’.
Whitehall launches £200m fund to replace unsafe cladding
The Government has launched a £200m fund to help remove and replace unsafe cladding on privately owned high-rise buildings.
Cuts to youth services factor in knife crime rise - MPs
The local areas that have experienced the largest cuts to their youth services budgets have reported some of the highest increases in knife crime, MPs have revealed.
Investment-based crowdfunding has ‘untapped potential’ for councils - study
Crowdfunding has ‘huge, untapped potential’ for council finances, a new study has concluded.
Sheffield City Council promotes trade with Beijing
Nine businesses from Sheffield have travelled to China as part of the local authority’s efforts to strengthen trade with Beijing.
Oxfordshire councils to extend joint working arrangements
Two councils are considering extending their working partnership in a move they hope will trigger a ‘broader conversation’ on local government organisation.
Special needs provision in schools cut by over £1bn
Children and young people who have special educational needs and disabilities have lost out on £1.2bn of Government funding over the last four years.
Council ‘significantly’ changing approach to Swansea Bay city deal
Neath Port Talbot Council will change its approach to the Swansea Bay city deal after reviews found progress was ‘unduly slow’.