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Articles by Neil Merrick
Spending on B&Bs for homeless families soars
By By Neil Merrick | 01 October 2026
The cost to councils of placing homeless families in B&Bs has shot up by a quarter, with spending...
Councils' cash stash soars as millions go untouched
By By Neil Merrick | 24 September 2026
Local authorities in England paid more money into their reserves last year than they took out, Go...
Burnham 'growth in every postcode' ambition dismissed
By Neil Merrick | 22 September 2026
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been warned against awarding groundbreaking tax powers to every r...
Cambridgeshire 'bunfight' looms
By Neil Merrick | 22 September 2026
Cambridgeshire councils waiting for a decision on reorganisation are heading for a ‘bunfight’ ove...
Parties agree to share portfolios at Oldham
By Neil Merrick | 21 September 2026
Political parties at Oldham MBC have reached a power sharing agreement that partly breaks the dea...
Dealing with LGR limbo
By Neil Merrick | 15 September 2026
Councils face renewed uncertainty over staffing, finances, contracts and long-term planning as mi...
Another multi-million pound loss for Cambridgeshire CC-owned company
By Neil Merrick | 28 August 2026
A council-owned development company that borrowed £120m from its parent local authority has poste...
Unions accept 3.3% pay offer
By Neil Merrick | 25 August 2026
Widespread strike action in local government appears to have been averted after two of the three ...
Dudley heavily criticised by Ofsted
By Neil Merrick | 25 August 2026
Children’s services provided by Dudley MBC have been heavily criticised by Ofsted.
Women bear full force of rise in abuse by councillors
By Neil Merrick | 29 July 2026
A growing number of council chiefs are reporting abuse and inappropriate behaviour by councillors...
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