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Martin Ford

Martin Ford

Articles by Martin Ford

Tory backbenchers pile pressure on Government

By Martin Ford | 25 October 2023

The Government has withstood pressure from its own MPs to allow councils to hold remote meetings.

'Devolution hopes rest on combined authorities'

By Martin Ford | 24 October 2023

Combined authorities represent the greatest hope for devolution in England, according to a new re...

Keeping a closer eye on the data

By Martin Ford | 23 October 2023

Are councils making use of data to streamline services? Certainly the Government, in launching Of...

Government advisers back fiscal devolution

By Martin Ford | 23 October 2023

Fiscal devolution should be ramped up to enable local authorities to develop transport networks, ...

Greater Manchester chief executive to retire

By Martin Ford | 20 October 2023

Eamonn Boylan has announced his intention to retire as chief executive of Greater Manchester Comb...

Minister's concern over Warrington debt

By Martin Ford | 19 October 2023

Local government minister Lee Rowley has expressed concern over Warrington Council’s levels of de...

Era of ALMOs has 'drawn to a close'

By Martin Ford | 19 October 2023

A senior Cheltenham BC councillor has declared the era of arms-length management organisations (A...

Government blocks remote meetings

By Martin Ford | 18 October 2023

A levelling up Bill amendment that would have enabled virtual council meetings has been stripped ...

'Anger' over Scottish council tax freeze

By Martin Ford | 18 October 2023

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf’s announcement of a blanket freeze on council tax next year ...

Councils try to tackle rising community tensions

By Martin Ford | 17 October 2023

Councils have taken a key role as they seek to tackle rising community tensions stoked by events ...