News
'Cracks' starting to show in electoral system
Election administrators have warned of ‘cracks’ beginning to show in the electoral system with the prospect of another poll on the horizon.
Social care and climate change share limelight at Lib Dem conference
Increased funding via new taxes and more powers to tackle climate change are among the policies adopted at the Lib Dem conference this week.
Stinging criticism over ministry's double rates error
Labour has launched a scathing attack as the Government continues to drag its heels over resolving repeated errors in the business rates formula.
Best and worst authorities for inclusive growth revealed
Healthy life expectancy varies within the UK by as much as it does between here and Sudan, according to a new index ranking local and combined authorities on inclusive growth.
Legal action threatens council income
North Yorkshire CC could lose annual income of £300,000 from home-to-school transport amid a legal threat from a disability rights campaigner.
Positive results found for axed project
A University of Oxford report has revealed a since-scrapped Essex CC initiative led to a dramatic drop in children needing to go into care or custody.
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Opinion
Our Ofsted journey: from inadequate to good in two years
Turning round children’s services in Tower Hamlets in two years was a ‘mighty struggle,’ says Will Tuckley. Here he outlines how the council successfully addressed intervention.
Buckle up, it's going to be bumpy
Louise Round says districts have received small amounts of cash to help with planning for the impact of a no deal scenario, but this in no way compensates for the amount of time this planning is taking.
A fighting chance to support development
Changes to how the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) can be used came into effect this month - and should give councils better opportunities to deliver infrastructure effectively to support development, say Tiffany Cloynes and Natalie Harries.
The sector has a key role in reforming the Apprenticeship Levy
It's two years since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, and John O'Brien feels like it is time for employers including councils to be able to use it more flexibly.
Repairing children’s services is an investment worth making
Spending more on services to stop the rising costs of taking children into care must be worth the investment, says Heather Jameson.
What's the demand for children's social care?
In the North-East there has been a 55.7% growth in the average number of looked after children per 10,000 between 2009 and 2018. Tony Kirkham says the biggest single driver of demand would seem to be Universal Credit.
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Best Practice
We’re bringing our people closer to us
Dudley MBC has embraced the use of its website and social media presence, allowing residents to get closer than ever to the people providing their services. Cllr Patrick Harley discusses the experience so far
Analysis
Money for something
The Spending Round announcement last week seems a positive move for the sector on the face of it, but raises questions over the the future balance between central control and local discretion says David Phillips.
Private sector
Capita to pay Real Living Wage from April
Capita has said it will pay all UK employees a minimum of the Real Living Wage from April, increasing the salaries of almost 6,000 employees.
Councils plan for Kier exit
Councils have been making plans after Kier decided to exit the waste industry.
Council company improves services
A Cheshire West & Chester Council company has continued to improve services, with all seven areas inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) now rated good.