Elections
Better food policies for councils’ menus
Ahead of the local elections in May, and in the context of a council funding crisis, Sofia Parente looks at the levers candidates can use to ensure better food policies are priorities.
Voter ID legal challenge launched
A legal challenge has been mounted against the Government over voter ID requirements for elections.
Officer warning over street votes
Senior council officers have issued a scathing response to plans for street-level planning votes – dismissing the idea as a costly and complex ‘proliferation of polls’.
Time for a fightback
Political parties think the general public doesn’t care about councils, which is why, electorally, they are not on the agenda – but they’re wrong, says Sarah Longlands.
Security costs exemption for election spend limits
Local government minister Simon Hoare this week confirmed key security costs for local elections will not count against agreed party and candidates’ spending limits.
A huge year – but will local government’s voice be heard?
'While politicians are holding the line – that councils have plenty of cash and financial failure equals poor management – there are indications that they know it’s not so clear cut', says Heather Jameson.
Don't hold your breath for immediate funding salvation
Like Liam Byrne’s 2010 note to his successor suggesting there was no money left, an incoming government will have little room for budgetary manoeuvre if it sticks to its declared fiscal rules, says Abdool Kara.
Sunak vows to keep public spending down
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has kicked off election year with a promise to keep public spending down and cut taxes.
Alarm sounded on cyber threat to local elections
Ministers have written to councils to warn of attempted foreign interference in next year’s elections.
Minister denies 'passive' approach to voter registration
Local government minister Simon Hoare has denied the Government is taking a ‘passive role’ in voter registration.
Welsh councils open door to voting reform
Gwynedd Council and Powys CC are to consult on dropping first past the post in favour of single transferable voting.
Minister shrugs off election concerns
Fears that pressures on elections officials will leave them overwhelmed at the next General Election have been dismissed by local government minister Simon Hoare.
Election fears raised with ministers
Concern among council officers was detailed in a new Government-commissioned report on the implementation of voter ID requirements.
Battling democratic backsliding
Greg Notman and Professor James Downe reflect on the current health of local democracy, and look at the best ways to measure it.
Norfolk devolution scheduled delayed
Norfolk’s level 3 devolution deal is set to be pushed back to 2025.
One hump or two?
Diary loves an extended metaphor, even if it describes the parlous state of the nation’s elections.
Warning of polling day disruption to services
Frontline council services could be disrupted during elections as staff are drafted in to run polling stations and conduct counts, chief executives have warned.
Watchdog warning over elections
It could take a generation to restore public confidence if there are major problems at the next General Election including with voter ID, a watchdog has warned.
Giving power away: Labour needs to turn rhetoric into reality
Labour needs to articulate a more concrete vision for how they would go further and faster on devolution – particularly on how local government will feed into the wider mission framework for government, says Ross Mudie.
Call for elections indemnity
Elections officials should be granted indemnity against legal challenges resulting from the rollout of online absent vote applications (OAVA), senior officers’ group Solace has said.