Devolution
Civic pride is about more than just hanging baskets
Owen Garling sets out the steps the Government needs to take if it is serious about enhancing civic pride and improving social capital, including unlocking devolution where it has stalled.
What will the two leadership candidates mean for councils?
It is clear there are some major differences in the two Conservative leadership candidates' likely approaches if they win the top job, but it is less clear what they might mean for local government, says Sheila Oxtoby.
Waiting for council issues to get an airing
Local government has hardly featured in the initial debates of the Conservative leadership contest but that could be set to change given its importance to levelling up and reform of adult social care, says Simon Edwards.
York and North Yorkshire councils sign ‘historic’ devolution deal
New powers are set to be transferred to a directly elected mayor in York and North Yorkshire as part of a historic devolution deal.
Time for clarity
With the contenders for the Conservative Party leadership race narrowed down to two, staunch Rishi Sunak backer Sir Bob Neill wants them to lay out a far more comprehensive package of policies.
A tale of two factions
As the Tory leadership candidates start setting out their campaign policies, how much are they revealing about their approaches to local government, devolution, levelling up and social care? Martin Ford reports.
Government urged to scale up levelling up
The Government is focusing on the right issues as part of its levelling up agenda but needs to dramatically scale up investment and effort, according to the Institute for Government (IfG) think-tank.
Consultation to be held on new intervention powers
The Government has committed to consulting the sector over new powers of intervention in council finances.
Districts doubtful over levelling up assurances
Districts have dismissed Government assurances about a controversial clause in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill that threatens to unilaterally strip their powers.
Minister tells councils to ‘prioritise when delivering core services'
In a message to the Local Government Association’s annual conference, Treasury minister Simon Clarke, said he was ‘mindful’ that councils would be ‘feeling the pinch’.
Avoiding the edge
As the sector gathers this week for the LGA conference, Dr Jonathan Carr-West says it’s time to speak with a united voice on devolution and levelling up, and to focus on generating value and how we manage financial risk.
Gove urges councils to call out poor performance
Levelling up secretary Michael Gove quite rightly sung the praises of local government for the sector's efforts during the pandemic, says Heather Jameson. But eventually he cut to the chase – with a hefty carrot and stick approach to the future.
Gove says new body will 'shine light' on sector failures and successes
Michael Gove has reaffirmed his plans to ‘shine a light’ on both the failures and successes of councils with a new Office for Local Government.
A year of progress on county devolution
James Maker says that rather than stripping powers from any tier of local government, Clause 16 encourages and enables districts to play a more active and extensive role in devolution proposals.
Council chiefs argue for accountability
Senior officers have asked for greater accountability for the local government sector as part of the devolution process.
It's time to settle the Bill
There is still time to alter the path of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill now going through Parliament, says Zoe Billingham. Ambition must be improved across the legislation, and a key principle is missing, she adds.
Unleash wave of mayoral devo, says Onward
A report from the centre-right Onward think-tank has urged the Government to step back from ‘micromanaging’ England’s cities and counties, and unleash a wave of mayoral devolution.
Councils make bid for new East Midlands combined authority
Four councils have submitted a bid to Government to create a new East Midlands mayoral combined authority.
A big deal for Cornwall
Cornwall has ambitious plans to address the stark place disparities that have widened as a result of the pandemic, writes Kate Kennally.
Time for bold action on devo
As Whitehall pulls power into the centre, it erodes local bodies’ capacity and capability, says Adam Hawksbee. He believes the greatest promise for breaking the cycle and shifting power lies in the mayoral model.