Business
Unison to step up pressure against outsourcing
The country’s biggest public sector trade union is to step up pressure on outsourcing as it plans for the impact of Brexit.
Councils deserve a better deal after Carillion's collapse
Local government figures recently met to discuss the current state of commissioning and procurement after the liquidation of outsourcer Carillion. David Hutton reports.
The key to happiness
Potholes, parking and part-night street lighting – highways crews so often get it in the neck from the Great British public on a variety of issues.
Enfield to procure development partners
Development partners for Enfield LBC’s flagship Meridian Water project are to be appointed after members voted to press ahead with the scheme under council control.
Government prepared to consider 'Amazon tax' - Hammond
Chancellor Philip Hammond has said the Government would be ‘prepared to consider a tax on online platform businesses based on the value generated’.
Qualified opinion for Lancashire accounts
Lancashire CC’s auditors have issued a qualified opinion on the county’s value for money work amid lingering concerns over children’s services and internal controls.
LEPs in Whitehall engagement warning
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) have privately warned Whitehall departments they must improve their engagement if they are to deliver a post-Brexit boost to the UK, The MJ has learnt.
Man jailed for five years over council fraud
Barnet LBC is under renewed pressure to withdraw services from Capita after a joint venture contract employee was jailed for a £2m fraud.
Localis calls for 'big bang' devolution approach
Think-tank Localis has called for a ‘big bang approach’ to recast the relationship between Whitehall and councils.
Income-generating investments announced by councils
Two more councils have announced income-generating investments as town halls seek the finances required to protect key services amid continued austerity.
Participatory budgeting 'outstanding success'
Independent research has found Dundee City Council’s participatory budgeting (PB) was an ‘outstanding success’ that should act as an inspiration to other local authorities.
Local government outsourcing slumps
Local government outsourcing has almost halved in the wake of the demise of Carillion.
No timescale for 100% business rates retention
The Government has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to 100% business rates retention but ignored calls to detail a timeframe for implementation.
Council demands Government funding to complete hospital
Government funding has been demanded to jumpstart a project to build a hospital that stalled after the collapse of Carillion.
Councils should hire a 'public entrepreneur' - report
All councils should appoint a ‘public entrepreneur’ to lead innovation and transformation, a report today has urged.
May to back north of Tyne combined authority
Prime minister Theresa May will today give the go-ahead for the creation of the north of Tyne combined authority.
Chain ferry contract secured
Wight Shipyard has secured a contract to make improvements to a chain ferry for Isle of Wight Council.
Complex outsourcing 'not an excuse to exclude public'
Increasingly complex modern outsourcing is not an excuse to exclude the public from the design of future partnerships, a think-tank has warned.
Zurich questions indemnity mutual
A major local government insurer has welcomed the sector’s plans for a new mutual but questioned the need for the move.
Sunak questions outsourcing model
Conservative local government minister Rishi Sunak has questioned the current model of outsourcing in the wake of Carillion’s collapse.