Devolution
LGA concerns over devolution approach
Senior figures from the Local Government Association (LGA) have raised concerns about Westminster’s approach to devolution.
Time for a change (again)?
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove’s hints that local enterprise partnerships are ‘under review’ reminds Michael Burton of how governments cannot resist the temptation to reorganise
Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig need to cut Peppa Pig some slack
Did the secretary of state Michael Gove signal last week that some functions or powers are going to be stripped away from districts and gifted to elected mayors, asks Ian Miller.
Focusing on the future for counties and unitaries
Chairman of the County Councils' Network Cllr Tim Oliver says he 'could not fail to be quietly impressed about the energy and determination of our member councils to tackle the incoming challenges head-on' at his organisation's annual conference.
EXCLUSIVE: Districts in county deals warning
District council leaders have warned county deals will fail unless local government secretary Michael Gove gives them an equal role in devolution.
Osborne urges ministers to 'double' devolution efforts
Former chancellor George Osborne has urged ministers to ‘double’ efforts to drive forward devolution and local taxation.
County deals: nothing new under the sun
As we move towards county-wide deals, we need to ensure that they are built on true collaboration with equal representation across the tiers, argues Trevor Holden.
Northern Irish councils in devolution call
The sector is pressing for increased powers to help the country to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
CCN conference: Councils face the blame for care cost rises, says Reed
As tax goes up and social care services remain underfunded, councils will be blamed, shadow communities’ secretary Steve Reed has claimed.
Councils promised tax overhaul
Reform of council tax, including devolved powers for local authorities, are among the plans in a co-operation agreement between Labour and Plaid Cymru in Wales.
CCN conference: LEPs look set to be scrapped
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) look set to be scrapped after levelling up secretary Michael Gove indicated his preference for a more accountable system to the County Councils’ Network conference today.
Levelling up locally to bridge the divides
What kind of plan should the levelling up White Paper set out, and where will urban leaders and their cities fit in? Paul Swinney lists the new programmes required.
Getting our economies growing
Focused on levelling up, finance, social care, local economies, climate change and the ongoing challenge of coronavirus, the CCN 2021 Conference will feature key speakers from the heart of Government and the sector, writes Cllr Tim Oliver.
Levelling up - slogan or strategy?
If an area is deprived and needs investment it shouldn’t have to pit itself against neighbouring authorities for funding, says Cllr George Duggins.
Can we have both levelling up and devo?
Levelling up local government finance needs a more centralised system of funding, says Heather Jameson - but 'how do you do devolution when central Government hangs on to the purse strings?'
Minister tells councils price of devolution
Levelling up minister Neil O’Brien has told councils they will have to improve their ‘governance, efficiency and service delivery’ in return for more devolution, The MJ understands.
Putting districts firmly in the spotlight
There’s a new direction at the District Councils’ Network as Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen and James Hood tell Martin Ford how they plan to make Government understand how districts approach growth and can work with businesses.
The ‘sticky’ stuff
Local government has a battle on its hand with ministers to convince it can make policy cohere at the level of place, writes Jonathan Werran.
Driscoll backs regional wealth funds
The Government should create regional wealth funds that could borrow hundreds of millions of pounds to invest in firms and create jobs, North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll said in a paper published today.
Joining the dots
Ahead of COP26, the Government has published its route map for reaching net-zero emissions, but is it ambitious enough and what does it mean for local government? Ann McGauran reports.
