Business
Social housing Bill 'imminent'
Housing minister Eddie Hughes this week insisted the Government would bring forward a social housing Bill ‘as quickly as possible’ as he apologised for delays.
Social landlord faces wide-ranging probe
The UK’s largest social landlord faces a wide-ranging investigation into its handling of residents’ complaints after a watchdog reported ‘severe maladministration’ in a high-profile case.
Will new Levelling Up Fund round repeat ‘beauty contest’?
Dr Nicola Headlam says the Government may have renewed its commitment to empower local leaders but as yet the reality does not match the rhetoric on funding for local growth.
Nottingham expected to bring housing back under direct control after probes
Nottingham City Council is expected to bring its housing back under direct control after two independent probes found ‘underlying issues around governance and finance’.
New Solace hire to improve sector diversity
Senior officers' organisation Solace is recruiting a new officer in a drive to improve diversity.
Veolia to take action after complaints
Street cleaning and waste management giant Veolia has agreed to take action after three London boroughs complained about standards of service.
Councils urged to reconsider Russian risks
Councils have been encouraged to reconsider the risks of using Russian technology and software following the invasion of Ukraine.
EXCLUSIVE: Council sacked director over 'vexatious and malicious' police report
Thanet DC sacked its director of corporate governance and monitoring officer after he submitted ‘vexatious and malicious’ allegations about a senior colleague to the police, The MJ can reveal.
A crucial union of business and place
Sir Nigel Wilson says the four-year partnership between Legal & General and the UCL Institute of Health Equity - the Marmot Review for Industry - offers hope for bringing an end to the injustice of health inequality.
Soaring vacancies and declining pay highlight sector crisis
Latest figures this week showing the soaring number of job vacancies coupled with declining public sector pay have highlighted the recruitment and retention crisis facing the local government sector.
LEPs due for integration into combined authorities by 2030
Local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) will be integrated into combined authorities by 2030, tracking the pace of the Government’s devolution agenda.
Start-up ends high street service
A start-up that invited councils to create ‘virtual high streets’ allowing residents to order from local businesses has ended the service.
Ministers accused of 'blind political prejudice' over Sandwell intervention
Former Labour minister John Spellar has dismissed as ‘blind political prejudice’ ministers’ decision to send commissioners into Sandwell MBC days after an upbeat peer review.
Lack of progress in Croydon's housing turnaround
Croydon LBC has been slammed by an independent report for lack of progress in dealing with problems in its housing department.
London pension pool issues Russian investment edict
The pension pool tasked with managing investment funds for London’s local government schemes has instructed all managers to make no further investment in Russia.
Southern cities show strongest potential
Provincial cities in southern England with ‘strong local authorities’ show the strongest potential for economic growth, beating underperforming mets and most cities in the north, according to a report published today.
Give communities a real stake in skills improvement
Dr Marius Ostrowski says Local Skills Improvement Plans, one of the Government’s key Levelling Up White Paper commitments, must be made truly representative of the communities they intend to serve.
Auditor's improvement pledge after complaint
Mazars has pledged to improve its performance after a council complained about a dramatic drop in its audit standards.
Councils rethink £30m of Gazprom spending
Councils are reconsidering the multi-million pound contracts they have with the state-owned Russian gas company Gazprom in light of Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
Senior management workforce warning
Councils are increasingly struggling to recruit and retain senior managers due to demographic factors and relatively poor remuneration packages, sector workforce experts have warned.
