Funding
Blow to hopes for independent levelling up body
An amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill would have established a body to scrutinise progress against the Government's missions.
Rampant inflation will impact poorest most
Chair of the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities, Sir Stephen Houghton, says unless emergency support is provided to councils this financial year local authorities face a chilling return to austerity.
Government seeking solution to homeless refugees
Refugees minister Lord Harrington hopes to place homeless Ukrainian families with sponsors, a committee of MPs has heard.
Inaccurate census could cost Londoners
New census data on London’s population figures underestimates the number of people living in the capital, council leaders have warned.
A model answer to funding questions
The IFS-CIPFA Local Government Finance Model is intended to help councils with their medium-to- longer term financial planning in a context of uncertain finance pressures and as-yet unspecified funding reforms, says David Phillips.
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.
Let councils keep all Right to Buy receipts
More fiscal freedoms for councils will help slow the decline in social housing stock, which is much needed given waiting list statistics, says Tracy Bingham.
Demand for SEND support rises by quarter
The Local Government Association has urged the Government to scrap high needs deficits to help meet demand from children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Targeting future opportunities
LGA conference plenary speaker Ben Page looks at the challenges and opportunities for councils in the post-pandemic 2020s, including more diverse communities and the need for massive structural change in planning.
Councils struggling to meet fund deadline
Councils have warned ministers of their struggle to complete investment plans to unlock the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), with the deadline fast approaching.
Monkeypox increasing pressure on overstretched services
Directors of public health have warned of growing pressures on sexual health services due to people presenting with potential symptoms of monkeypox.
Growing pains
The Commons Public Accounts Committee has accused the Government of a lack of transparency and accountability on the way the first round of the Levelling Up Fund was awarded. What needs to change? Ann McGauran reports.
60% of homecare providers rejecting referrals
Almost two-thirds of homecare providers are turning down referrals due to staff shortages, according to new research.
We now have a clear evidence base for change to children's social care
The Independent Review of Children's Social Care heeds the County Councils Network's calls for a much greater focus on prevention, keeping families together, and a move away from reliance on costly residential care, says Simon Edwards.
Affluent areas to lose out in care funding reforms
Local authorities in wealthier areas with higher levels of self-funded care home residents are likely to fare worse from planned changes to the funding regime, according to latest figures.
We need a more imaginative approach to local leadership
District councils’ local knowledge and closeness to their communities could prove invaluable to levelling up if a more imaginative approach is taken to local leadership, says Kathy O'Leary.
New roles to ‘bash heads’ in Whitehall
Levelling up directors will act as champions for local government in Whitehall, a minister has told peers.
Calculating the cost of care
Local and central government must prepare for the significant workforce challenges that will be presented by adult social care charging reforms. Daniel Sperrin and James Maker explain.
Ministers must stop flip-flopping over commercial deals
Heather Jameson says ministers should 'stop the policy flip-flop over commercialisation – choose a stance and stick with it'.
Housing First is not the only solution to homelessness
Closing good quality, short-term supported housing in favour of Housing First would reduce significantly the number of people councils could support, says Lee Buss-Blair.