Funding
Uncertain future for migrant rough sleepers
MPs have raised concerns about the future of rough sleepers with no recourse to public funds (NRPF) due to their visa status during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Councils ‘in driving seat’ for UK Shared Prosperity Fund, says Jenrick
Councils will take a leading role in the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), local government secretary Robert Jenrick has said.
Councils mull raids on reserves and job cuts
Gateshead MBC is considering cutting up to 155 jobs and North Yorkshire's reserves will take an £8m hit under budget proposals.
Redrawing the map
Councils are the bodies to lead high street regeneration – but not without reform, argues Paul Swinney.
Call for inquiry into COVID’s 'devastating' impact on children
A coalition of child health experts has called for a wide-ranging independent commission to examine the ‘devastating impact’ of the pandemic on children.
COVID-19 reveals scale of rough sleeping ‘far exceeds’ previous estimates
The scale of the rough sleeping population in England ‘far exceeds’ the Government’s previous estimates and has been made clear during the pandemic.
Questions over councils' regeneration role
A lack of funds and expertise prevents local authorities from reversing the decline of many town centres, MPs have heard.
Scottish councils call for fair funding to avoid 'damaging consequences'
Council leaders in Scotland have called for an end to small ring-fenced pots of funding and no cap on council tax in this year’s Budget.
Starmer demands halt to ‘absurd’ council tax rises
Labour leader Keir Starmer has called for central government to increase funding for local authorities to prevent council tax hikes.
Councils grapple with multi-million pound budget deficits
Councils are mulling service cuts and council tax rises as they attempt to balance next year's budgets.
Council leaders welcome £4.6bn lockdown grants to support businesses
Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors in England are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000 to support them during the lockdown, chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced.
A letter to Santa from local government in England
It feels as if local government is on everyone’s ‘naughty list’ at present, says Colin Copus. Here, he writes to Santa with a long list of things all councils would like for Christmas.
Urban councils' fears over debt recovery rules
Urban councils have voiced concern over new rules that could prevent them from recovering council tax debts.
Welsh councils' funding boosted by 3.8%
Welsh councils’ funding package of £6.3bn next year is ‘as good a settlement as I can offer,’ local government minister Julie James has said.
COVID-19 impact on council income uncovered
Spending on car parks fell to 10% of 2019 levels and gyms 20% during the first lockdown.
Questions over settlement boost
The scale of the increase in core funding in the local government finance settlement claimed by ministers has been questioned by finance experts.
We must sustain and strengthen hyper-local causes
We must learn lessons about getting support to hyper-local community causes, says, CEO of Neighbourly Steve Butterworth.
Genuine community power derives from and requires a strong state
The voluntary and community sector (VCS) should never allow itself to become a surrogate for councils or any other part of the public sector, argues John Tizard.
Let’s hope for a legacy of greater trust
The monthly COVID financial returns for government are part of good bureaucracy, says Gary Fielding. But he wonders why are there so many additional return requests.
What a year!
The MJ reflects on another year in local government, significantly influenced by the pandemic that continues to cause havoc heading into 2021. And there’s a reassuring symmetry to the way the year is ending. Martin Ford and Ann McGauran report.
