News
Grenfell fire council to discuss blaze in private
Senior members of the council heavily criticised over its response to the Grenfell Tower fire will discuss the blaze behind closed doors.
BREAKING: Fuller beats Saint to DCN role
South Norfolk DC leader, Cllr John Fuller, has thrashed his rival in the two-horse race to become the chairman of the District Councils’ Network (DCN).
Fire council chief steps down after 'pressure from Javid'
Kensington & Chelsea RLBC chief executive, Nicholas Holgate, has resigned following criticism over the council’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire.
100% business rates retention legislation dropped
The Local Government Finance Bill has been dropped from the legislative programme, leaving plans for business rates retention in limbo.
Investment ‘key to capital expenditure’
Commercial investment by councils to generate income is a key factor in the upward trend in capital expenditure in the last year, according to a new Department for Communities and Local Government report.
Council moves to generate income
Test Valley BC expects to rake in £1.3m from a project to generate additional income this financial year.
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Opinion
Terror, a tragedy and a lost reputation
The last few weeks have seen Britain hit by terror attacks and now the Grenfell Tower fire. The horror of watching an inferno, knowing there are people inside, will stay with us all for years to come.
Carter vs Simmonds: Why I want to be LGA Tory leader
Local Government Association Conservative Group leadership candidates, Kent CC leader Paul Carter and Hillingdon LBC leader David Simmonds, outline their top priorities.
Lessons from the ashes of Grenfell
As a tribute to those who have died at Grenfell, we should embark on well-constructed, good standard, mass housebuilding for all, writes Claire Fox.
We need a public inquiry into our national politicians
Occasionally a crisis will happen that exposes our trust in the competence of politicians to be entirely optimistic, writes Michael Burton.
We can help you achieve your objectives, Westminster
Jo Miller looks at the current state of the state and argues local government could make best use of the public purse because it understands the unintended consequences of Westminster policies.
To cut the arts or not to cut the arts? There is no question
Arts, culture and heritage are often among the first services to be scrapped, but John O'Brien highlights their importance not just for residents and visitors but for budgets, too.
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Best Practice
The re-balancing act
Cornwall was already making strides to re-shape its economy before the UK voted to leave the EU. One year on, despite the threat of European structural funds vanishing, Kate Kennally says Brexit is a catalyst for progress to continue apace
Analysis
A matter of trust
Steve Crocker and Chris Whitehouse explain how the Isle of Wight, through its partnership with neighbouring Hampshire CC, has delivered dramatic improvements to its formerly failing services for children - without the need for a trust.
Private sector
The varying models of local authority trading companies
Garfield Cameron highlights some of the best examples of local authority trading companies, but warns there is no singular model that will work for all.
The search for commercial minds and social hearts
While housing associations don’t always have the big salaries to offer, they do have great social and moral purpose and challenging work to offer, write Steven Burleigh and Ruth Lane.
Councils plan to launch more housing companies
Nearly seven out of 10 councils already have or are thinking about launching a housing company either on their own or in partnership, a survey has found.