District Councils Network
Looking forward to the next 50 years of districts
As his council, Breckland, celebrates it's 50th anniversary, Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen looks to what the future may bring for district councils.
Oflog co-design promises have been broken, say councils
Ministerial promises to ‘co-design’ the Office for Local Government (Oflog) with the sector have been broken, councils have claimed.
Elections show the organisation at its ‘one council’ best
Kathy O' Leary says: 'As both pollsters and returning officers would agree, success in elections is talking only about the result and not the process.'
Wanted: fiscal reform not fiscal frustration
'To bemoan any Government’s inability to take difficult political decisions when it has been in power for 14 years is to wriggle out of collective responsibility', says Heather Jameson.
Online sales tax not priority for London
London Councils has decided it will not prioritise an online sales tax (OST) as part of its lobbying effort.
Structures should be 'rationalised,' Hoare tells DCN
Council funding should have been reformed by now and structures need to be ‘rationalised’ the local government minister told the District Councils’ Network (DCN) conference.
Government 'recognises' increased temporary accommodation demand
The Government has said it recognises the challenges local authorities face in responding to the increased demand for temporary housing.
The threat from bank and building society closures
More than half of all bank and building society branches have closed since 2015 – nearly 6,000 in total. This has significant implications both for financial inclusion and our high streets.
14 years on: The ‘winners’ and ‘losers’
New data shows how £13.9bn of cumulative cuts in local authority funding in the 14 years since 2010-11 have hit the sector. Ann McGauran and Maks Wieczorski report.
Working with Government can deliver real dividends
Collaboration with Government can achieve real results for communities and councils should not be afraid of embracing productivity, says Cllr Kevin Bentley.
Call for Hunt to lift benefit subsidy cap
Councils have called for the cap on housing benefit subsidy that councils receive to be unfrozen amid warnings about the ‘spiralling increase’ in temporary accommodation (TA).
Why flood levy’s no longer affordable
As places reel from the impact of recent floods, Cllr Paul Redgate says the Government must deliver a fairer and sustainable funding system for Internal Drainage Boards.
Challenges remain following funding boost
A £600m boost to the Local Government Finance Settlement has been welcomed, but has not resolved the sector’s funding issues, the Government has been warned.
Housing pressures threaten 'end of local government'
A call has been made for Government action on temporary housing costs that threaten to swallow up district council budgets.
Concern over waste reform costs
Fears have been raised that more financial pressures could be heaped on councils as a result of waste reforms.
We need to devise a plan to solve our communities’ housing crisis
District councils need the Government to increase the housing benefit subsidy. Without this, local authorities increasingly cannot afford appropriate housing, says Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen.
Stormy waters ahead
Mark Conrad talks to three major groups of councils about what the provisional finance settlement means for each of them, and he considers the outlook for 2025 and beyond.
Call for MPs' help over ‘inadequate’ settlement
Councils are to turn to MPs to make the case to the Government following the announcement of an ‘inadequate’ £64bn finance settlement.
Are we heading to a funding train crash?
The District Councils’ Network 'seeks at least a 6% increase in core spending power for districts, including the ability to raise council tax by 5% or £10 – modest asks compared to what other types of council have received in the past or might receive for 2024', says Ian Miller.
Fewer than 100 homes for refugees are occupied
Fewer than 100 homes acquired using a fund to support English councils obtain housing for those fleeing conflicts have been occupied, according to the latest figures.