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WHITEHALL

'easyCouncil' executive to take on reform role

By Mark Conrad | 21 July 2011

One of the masterminds of local government’s ‘easyCouncil’ initiative has been appointed to lead ...

FINANCE

Complex formula funding hinders fair sharing, NAO reports

By Jonathan Werran | 21 July 2011

The complex way the DCLG structures its formula grant blocks accountability and openess, watchdog...

FINANCE

MPs to study councils' use of property assets

By Jonathan Werran | 21 July 2011

Councils' use of property assets will be scrutinised by a Parliamentary inquiry examining how the...

BUSINESS

550 jobs at risk after Kinetics calls in the administrators

21 July 2011

Housing maintenance firm Kinetics Group has gone into administration, putting 550 staff at risk.

Archbishop warns cut in benefits could make more families homeless

21 July 2011

The head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales has warned that benefit cuts could mak...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Commission launches 10-year growth plan for north of England

By Jonathan Werran | 21 July 2011

A new commission aiming to set out a ten-year economic growth strategy for the north of England h...

Darlington and Hartlepool split top HR role

By Jonathan Werran | 21 July 2011

Darlington and Hartlepool borough councils are considering a proposal to establish a joint direct...

Authorities scrap radical plan to integrate and save up to £20m

21 July 2011

Oldham and Rochdale councils have scrapped plans to integrate all service areas and appoint a joi...

The OBR's first Fiscal Sustainability report

21 July 2011

Mark Conrad looks at what the OBR's first Fiscal Sustainability report reveals about tax and spen...

Brent faces court over library closures

By Jonathan Werran | 21 July 2011

Brent Council is facing a High Court challenge to the planned closure of half its libraries.