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Martin Ford

Martin Ford

Articles by Martin Ford

SEND

Spending Review: Silence on SEND reform

By Martin Ford | 11 June 2025

Councils will have to wait until the autumn for details of reforms to services for children with ...

PLANNING

Labour planning bill rebellion crushed

By Martin Ford | 10 June 2025

The Government has quashed an attempted rebellion among its own MPs over the Planning and Regener...

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Councillors press minister on SEND costs

By Martin Ford | 06 June 2025

A minister was pressed on financial challenges posed by children’s services when she appeared bef...

LGA

Councils' watershed moment

By Martin Ford | 05 June 2025

Next week’s Spending Review will have huge implications for the future finances of local governme...

FINANCE

Councils told cuts will follow

By By Martin Ford | 05 June 2025

Councils have been warned to brace for grant cuts after next week’s Spending Review despite deput...

HOUSING

Select committee's 'deep concern' over threat to housebuilding

By Martin Ford | 04 June 2025

A select committee chair has told chancellor Rachel Reeves she is ‘deeply concerned’ over possibl...

DEVOLUTION

Questions over devolution boundaries

By Martin Ford | 04 June 2025

An influential Labour backbencher has questioned the Government’s approach to rolling out English...

PEOPLE

Unitary announces new director of education

By Martin Ford | 04 June 2025

Cheshire West and Chester Council has announced the appointment of Sal Thirlway as its director o...

CHILD ABUSE

Abuse audit delayed

By Martin Ford | 03 June 2025

A nationwide audit of child abuse has been delayed, safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has confi...

PEOPLE

Combined authority chief executive to stand down

By Martin Ford | 02 June 2025

Laura Shoaf has announced she is to stand down as chief executive of the West Midlands Combined A...

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  4. Derbyshire CC backs single county unitary
  5. The new leader of the County Councils' Network sets out his vision
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