Funding
‘Things will not get better: We need radical action’
Neil McInroy argues that a crisis in children’s and adults’ services calls for ‘a new spirit of action which challenges economic and political power’.
South-east in plea for funding ‘fairness’
Deprived areas in the south-east require investment as much as northern England, the chairman of Greater Brighton City Region has argued.
South-east defends record on refugees
Local government figures have defended the record of the south-east and London on taking in asylum seekers and refugees.
Our unsustainable finance system needs a reboot
Heather Jameson says the finance system is increasingly unsustainable and local government has no confidence in the Government’s plans to resolve it or to tackle the issue of funding adult social care.
Building Community Power in Bristol
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees outlines why the city has joined the Keep it Local network – a new coalition of councils who are seeking to harness the power of community.
Scottish councils’ improvements ‘stalling’
Spending on culture and leisure, economic development, and roads all fell by around a quarter last year, according to a study.
Healey calls for new rough sleeping taskforce
Ministers will not end rough sleeping in this country before 2082 based on its current rate of progress, shadow housing secretary, John Healey, has said.
The ‘unfair’ funding review needs a bigger cake
The temptation is to launch open season on ‘the other side’ – be that the political or geographical or type of council. But, in reality, the question is how does local government get a bigger cake, says Heather Jameson.
Winning back the public’s trust
Peter Stanyon says there are urgent lessons to learn from the 2019 elections – and challenges ahead in 2020 and beyond include the wider need for urgent reform to election law, funding and support.
Cyber Central transformation
Rather than wait for a private developer to buy land next to the GCHQ building, the council stepped in to ensure the site is used for inclusive economic growth. Heather Jameson talks to acting chief executive of Cheltenham BC, Tim Atkins.
Securing our future, today
Rachel Dickinson warns of the dangers of not making significant long-term investment in children’s services, and says there needs to be a step change in the process of Government funding for essential services.
The price to pay
If the Johnson Government values the institutions of mayoral governance as agents of levelling up, they will have to creatively fund and resource them, writes Localis chief executive Jonathan Werran.
Districts need more certainty on funding
We need a better idea of proposals and transitional arrangements on New Homes Bonus and business rates, says Simone Hines - and the recent extension of various business rates reliefs are raising tricky questions, she adds.
NAO to probe one-off Government funding pots
The National Audit Office (NAO) is to probe the effect of the Government’s shift towards one-off and short-term funding initiatives.
Lancashire on 'solid footing' after service reviews
Lancashire CC finance chiefs believe they are now on a ‘solid footing’ after the council slashed its future funding gap in half.
Boroughs in GP estate devolution call
London Councils has called for more devolution to boroughs of decisions on the GP estate.
Exploring all the options
The ‘radical rethink’ needed to reform the adult social care system calls for bold decisions, full exploration of all the options – and a funding solution that may need some manoeuvring around manifesto pledges on tax, says Cllr Dave Fothergill.
Better reform for better lives
Social care is being addressed as a priority in Number 10. President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) Julie Ogley talks to Ann McGauran about what she hopes will emerge.
Hull bids to pilot Universal Basic Income
Councillors voted to establish a steering group and seek support from the Government.
The stage is set for districts to demonstrate their key role
We hope ministers take away the message from conference next month that it is districts, backed by long-term sustainable funding, who are best placed to turn the new decade into the roaring twenties, says Cllr John Fuller.