Author Profile

Martin Ford

Martin Ford

Articles by Martin Ford

Council tax reforms divide sector

By Martin Ford | 04 September 2023

Scottish local authorities have been left deeply divided by proposals to hike council tax on high...

EXCLUSIVE: Mayors press for trailblazer devolution powers

By Martin Ford | 04 September 2023

Mayors are pressing for devolved powers currently reserved for their trailblazer counterparts in ...

Middlesbrough agrees to independent improvement advisory board

By Dan Peters | 04 September 2023

Middlesbrough Council has agreed to have an independent improvement advisory board for a year fro...

Thurrock in U-turn over pay rise

By Martin Ford | 31 August 2023

Councillors at debt-ridden Thurrock Council have been forced into a U-turn after refusing to sanc...

Somerset in section 114 warning

By Martin Ford | 31 August 2023

Somerset Council is the latest authority to raise the prospect of a possible section 114 notice.

Plymouth reaches impasse with auditor

By Martin Ford | 30 August 2023

Auditors could issue a qualified opinion on Plymouth City Council’s accounts after questioning it...

Councils to collaborate on funding bids

By Martin Ford | 30 August 2023

Four councils on the English and Welsh border have proposed a partnership to collaborate on futur...

LGA bids for tax hike control

By Martin Ford | 25 August 2023

The Local Government Association (LGA) has called for tax hikes on second homes to be locally con...

EXCLUSIVE: Questions over child age assessments

By Martin Ford | 25 August 2023

Council directors have raised doubts over Government plans to take over age assessments of unacco...

Councils urged to check pay policies following tribunal

By Martin Ford | 24 August 2023

Councils could be at risk of breaking the law on pay to senior officers in the wake of Croydon LB...