climate emergency
Future Forum North: How a green investment strategy could generate a jobs boom for the North
In a session hosted by ENGIE, a panel of three discussed the economic impact of a green investment strategy for the North.
Call for recognition of councils' role in net zero strategy
A group of local government, environmental and research organisations has called for powers and resources for councils as part of the national net zero strategy.
Councils must lead the way in raising standards across social housing
The Social Housing White Paper should be welcomed as a chance to renew council housing’s purpose of providing people with the highest possible standard of living, say Jamie Carswell and Joanne Drew.
Pensions chairman surprised at preparedness findings
The chairman of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) advisory board has expressed surprise at a survey that found most funds unprepared for a major change.
Councillors reject fossil fuel pension divestment
Wrexham CBC has voted down a motion to pressure a pension fund into shifting investment away from firms dealing in carbon fuels.
Protecting our borough’s future
Planning guidance may sound technical and uninspiring, but using it to protect the environment and historic buildings is anything but, says Cllr Johnny Thalassites.
Embracing a greener tourism economy in Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth is engaged with European partners and Norfolk CC on working towards a greener tourism offer that embraces a circular economy, says Sheila Oxtoby.
Call for government to match local ambitions on climate change
Councils have said their efforts to reduce carbon emissions are being constrained by a lack of powers and funding.
Nottingham set to bring energy company in-house
Nottingham City Council is expected to bring the company that provides district heating and electricity to some of its most deprived local communities in-house for an estimated transfer cost of £500,000.
Engaging councils is crucial in achieving the UK’s net zero commitment
Ahead of the UK’s historic hosting of COP26, Cratus asked elected members about their engagement with the conference. The data should be of serious concern to government, says Vikki Slade.
A flexible future for workspaces and town centres
Brendon Walsh says that - while an increasingly hybrid approach to work will reshape our centres and high streets - use of permitted development rights and pivoting towards education and emerging industries can support regeneration.
DEFRA’s simplistic proposals are as doomed to fail
The waste collection business is complicated, says chair of the District Councils' Network Cllr John Fuller. 'It requires attention to detail and a recognition that different streets in a borough can have different requirements.'
We are getting warmer on climate change
The Government needs to apply the same problem solving to climate change as it has to tackling the pandemic, says Kathy O'Leary.
Change is in the air
In anticipation of its forthcoming report on councils and net zero, the National Audit Office asked a round table of local government experts hosted by The MJ what they were doing on climate change – and what they needed from central government.
We need to avoid a fractured, inefficient and uneven model of recovery
Any improvement to local facilities, whether economic, leisure, hardship or climate-related, should be planted in a future that communities can recognise and buy into, argues Lawrence Conway.
Local elections 2021: Ideas for new administrations
Tom Lloyd Goodwin of CLES lays out eight approaches to tackling the range of problems that threaten to overwhelm the in-trays of new local government and devolved administrations.
MJ Housing: Affordability, sustainablity, economy – the housing challenges
After his four year stint as chief executive of Homes England, Nick Walkley has a clear understanding of the challenges facing the housing sector – and where local government fits in. He talks to Heather Jameson about what he has learned.
Devolution evolution must continue in Cornwall
Cornwall needs more devolution in order to progress with laying the foundations for regions to power the UK’s carbon zero economy and to stimulate renewal, says Cllr Julian German.
COP26: A once in a generation opportunity for local government
Laura Hughes of Browne Jacobson LLP says COP26 is 'a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure local government is given the resources it needs to drive decarbonisation', and it should be grasped with both hands.
Supply chain understanding and development is key to retrofit success
The Green Homes Grant voucher scheme ends today, reportedly due to lack of take-up. Here, Richard Daley and Stephen Fox outline what councils need to do to increase retrofit activity.
