Funding
A truly cooperative council
Tudor Evans outlines how communities in Plymouth have crowdfunded the money they need for around 60 projects, with the council backing the funds raised with up to double the amount. The council is now on the final shortlist for a global award.
Kent warned over SEND deficit
Members of Kent CC have been warned that the high needs budget deficit will exceed Government limits within a year.
Being creative local leaders is more important than ever
In the context of the current funding risks and uncertainty, councils need to be thinking even more creatively about how they can take a leadership role in terms of solving some of the issues facing our communities, argues Adele Taylor.
London boroughs face £32m asylum funding gap
Boroughs in the capital face a funding gap of £32m to support children seeking asylum, according to new research by London Councils.
Kingston set to launch £68m property investment company
A new property investment firm is set to be launched by Kingston LBC, backed by a £68m war chest.
Confidence collapses as statutory services face meltdown
Research by LGA reveals councils will struggle to meet legal obligations within three years.
Health secretary blames Westminster politics for plight of social care
Health secretary Matt Hancock has conceded ‘we should have fixed social care by now’ in a speech to councils.
A case of cuts and a confidence crisis
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services’ annual survey reveals a pessimistic sector. Martin Ford reports.
LGA seeks action to match 'warm words' over asylum seeker support
A ‘step change’ in relations between Government and council over accommodating asylum seekers is resulting from meetings between the two.
Glasgow secures £285m deal to settle pay dispute
Glasgow City Council has struck a deal with Legal & General to fund the settlement of an equal pay dispute.
Kent asks Government to plug £6m asylum funding gap
Councillors at Kent CC have vowed to claw back a £6.1m shortfall from the Government to care for asylum-seeking children.
Councils to get £300,000 for obesity pilots
The Government has decided to award five local authorities £300,000 each to trial programmes to tackle childhood obesity.
MPs press ministry to bring forward Shared Prosperity Fund
Local government secretary James Brokenshire has been urged to bring forward the replacement for EU structural funding.
Report recommends fully funding social care through taxation
The public backs funding social care through general taxation, according to new polling.
Lack of social care funding undermines NHS investment
Insufficient resources in the care system will undermine investment in the NHS, new research has suggested.
Spending Review poses 'challenge' for fair funding
A minister has said a one-year settlement for local government would pose a ‘challenge’ for implementing the fair funding review in 2020/21.
Spending Review must meet costs of refugee resettlement
Local government has cautiously welcomed the Government’s commitment to continue resettling refugees after a flagship scheme ends next year.
Funding pledged for Scottish councils to tackle period poverty
Councils in Scotland will receive £2m in funding to continue provision of free sanitary products in schools.
Westminster announces u-turn on cuts to youth services
Westminster City Council leader Nickie Aiken has admitted the council made a mistake when it cut funding to youth services.
Government bidding culture attacked
The growing trend of forcing councils to bid for small, policy-specific grants has been attacked as an ‘inefficient use of public resources’ by a think-tank.