Business
Frustration bubbles over wait for Brexit bonanza
The Government runs the risk of ‘levelling up everywhere at rock bottom’ as uncertainty continues to reign over funding for the regions months after Brexit.
Directors warn against blanket ban on unregulated accommodation
Children’s services directors have warned against a blanket ban on placing vulnerable youngsters in unregulated accommodation such as hostels or caravans.
Sector surprise at COVID marshal scheme
Local government has been blindsided by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that an army of COVID marshals will enforce tough new rules.
Birmingham Council given new powers to close businesses
Birmingham City Council has been given new enforcement powers to help keep the rate of COVID-19 infections reducing.
Council-run developer defends closure decision amid whistleblowing claims
The Northumberland Council-run developer at the centre of whistleblowing allegations has defended a decision that has led to a multi-million pound legal claim.
Government reaffirms support for LEPs
The Government has reaffirmed its support for local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) ahead of this autumn’s local recovery and devolution White Paper.
Council leader calls for financial help
Kirklees MBC’s leader has called for a ‘comprehensive package of financial assistance’ for workers and businesses after the Government increased the coronavirus isolation period.
Leisure outsourcer asks staff to take 'career break'
A major leisure services provider has come under fire for asking workers to take ‘unpaid career breaks’.
Council chief hails policy change
The chief executive of the council working to contain coronavirus within a vegetable farm in Herefordshire has hailed a national change of policy.
Local government was poorly prepared for pandemic, report finds
A decade of spending cuts, staff shortages and poor contacts with Whitehall meant local government was poorly prepared to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, a report from the Institute for Government think-tank has said.
Councils urge extension for grants support scheme
Fresh calls have been made for councils to be allowed to dole out to businesses the £1.6bn unspent from the Government’s small firms grant funds.
Council services to move to joint venture
Derbyshire CC’s cleaning, caretaking and building design services will be transferred to joint venture companies run with Suffolk CC from next month.
Government in attempted grants cash grab
Fresh calls have been made for councils to be allowed to dole out to businesses the £1.6bn unspent from the Government’s small firms grant funds.
Business rate revaluation postponed for two years
Ministers have postponed a revaluation of business rates until April 2023 and issued consultation on the wider rating system.
Sector faces 'battle royal' over reorganisation
Local government has been warned it faces a ‘battle royal’ with ministers appearing determined to force through reorganisation.
District leader hits out against 'super-council'
A district council leader has rebuffed the idea of a unitary council for North Yorkshire covering a population of more than 600,000 people.
Leicester mayor criticises business support U-turn
Leicester City Council’s mayor has criticised an apparent government U-turn over the provision of extra financial support to businesses during its extended coronavirus lockdown.
Building back greener growth needs a joint effort
It seems that even the business lobby is now on board with devolution, says Heather Jameson - and now 'we will need national, local and regional government working with the private sector to tackle the climate change and the economic crises ahead'.
CBI backs 'turbo charged' devolution
The business community will now back ‘turbo charged’ devolution, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) told a Core Cities seminar last week.
Councils in local virus data call
Councils have called for the Government to go further after it finally started to publish more coronavirus testing data.
