Environment
EXCLUSIVE: Ministry to look at easing sector burdens
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials have said they will look at further easing the burdens on the sector amid the coronavirus crisis.
Firms say government needs to do more
Key firms providing services to councils have welcomed measures to mitigate the damaging effects of the Covid-19 crisis but said more needs to be done.
Salford is the greenest council in 2020 Thriving Places Index
Salford City Council has emerged as the greenest in an index of quality of life in 363 local authorities in England and Wales.
Serco strike action averted
Strike action by refuse workers in Sandwell has been averted after Serco withdrew planned changes to collections.
We need to invest in social infrastructure to tackle health inequality
Writing on Social Prescribing Day, Fay Holland says we need to invest in public health budgets and services if we are to strengthen the social infrastructure of communities.
Climate emergency: adaptation
Councils must lead the development of localised climate change adaption and resilience, through both action and policy, says Jo Wall of Local Partnerships.
Recycling driving Biffa profits
Waste contractor Biffa is expecting strong results this year thanks to its recycling operations.
Climate emergency: the role of renewables
Many councils are developing or buying solar farms of their own. If successful this can cut carbon and emissions, and produce a good income through sound and ethical commercial ventures, says Jo Wall.
Getting to Zero
Programme director for Local Partnerships Rachel Toresen-Owuor says strong leadership is essential if a new climate-conscious focus for developing projects is going to permeate to the core of the local authority.
Some local lessons from the Far East
Heather Jameson finds that while local government officers in Japan are grappling with similar challenges to those in the UK, there is one stark difference – Japanese authorities have the power to make their own laws and raise their own taxes.
Engie to lead zero-carbon pilot in Staffordshire
A consortium is to test a system for lowering energy usage and carbon emissions on a town-wide scale in Rugeley.
There’s no quick fix to tackling climate change
If local councils are to capitalise on the zeitgeist of the climate emergency then they need some serious money and new powers – and time is of the essence, argues Paul O’Brien.
Jenrick activates Bellwin after storm
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has activated the Bellwin scheme, providing emergency financial assistance for councils affected by Storm Dennis.
Uncertainty puts East Lothian procurement on hold
Uncertainty over the future of waste and recycling in Scotland has led to East Lothian Council pushing back procurement of a contract for bin collections.
Local government is a powerful force for change
Last year, people across the UK called on the Government to take environmental action seriously. We witnessed a noticeable shift as local government responded – people and councils, coming together with a shared voice for change.
Feather dust-up
One could be forgiven for thinking Worcester City Council has been watching too many Star Wars films.
White Van Man on... electric vehicles
So by 2035 I’ve got to get rid of my motor and replace it with a doobrey that has the horsepower of a hairdryer and needs to be plugged into the mains for any journey that lasts longer than nipping down to the curry house for a ruby.
Council owned properties must be part of the climate emergency response
Current energy efficiency delivery ‘at least for domestic properties, is at an all-time low’ says chief executive of Community Energy England Emma Bridge.
Nottingham in bid to 'stabilise' energy company
A new management team has been installed at Robin Hood Energy and governance of council-controlled companies is being overhauled after the company was threatened with having its licence revoked.
NLGN study highlights concerns over air quality
Unitaries are much less likely than Metropolitan councils and London boroughs to consider taking action on air quality as ‘extremely or very important’, the latest quarterly NLGN leadership index survey has found.