LGA
Councils told to end merger speculation
Two councils have been urged to ‘move on’ from merger proposals that have failed to get off the ground after a decade of sharing officers.
Council chiefs argue for accountability
Senior officers have asked for greater accountability for the local government sector as part of the devolution process.
Debate Not Hate – the LGA’s call for change
Cllr James Jamieson outlines the LGA’s latest campaign aimed at addressing the level of abuse and intimidation councillors receive on a regular basis.
The case for civility
Former leader of the LGA Labour group Nick Forbes talks to Heather Jameson about his experience of homophobic online abuse, his ‘political ambush’ local deselection and rediscovering the simple pleasures in life.
Are we building back better or bleaker?
We glimpsed a reimagined world during the pandemic, but there is a certain bleakness stemming from a moment missed, says Max Wide. He believes building back better is still possible, but needs conscious leadership.
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.
UK to take in Ukrainian child refugees
The UK is to take in unaccompanied child refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine with hundreds already on their way to the UK.
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.
Districts cry foul over devolution plans
Divisions have emerged over the Government’s devolution plans after lower-tier authorities raised fears over the removal of powers.
Councils dive in to ocean recovery
Eight councils from around the UK have already started to take action to recover the health of our oceans and the communities that depend on them – but it will take all councils to turn the tide, says Emily Cunningham.
Councillors ‘undermining’ improvements at Wirral
The actions of members at Wirral MBC are threatening efforts to improve the council’s finances, according to its Independent Assurance Panel.
High praise for council’s leadership
A peer review has praised the senior leadership team at Stroud DC for the progress it has made.
Cost of living crisis loomed large at The MJ Forum
Heather Jameson says it was clear from The MJ Future Forum that the sector is facing a massive agenda. 'But what is perhaps more of a surprise is how little the Queen’s Speech addressed the main issues and captured the zeitgeist of the forum.
The NAO will be paying close attention to the progress of levelling up
Abdool Kara says it is straightforward to direct Government capital and infrastructure cash towards the places the market is not investing in, albeit how such places are prioritised can be contested. It is a harder task for revenue spending.
Adult social care reform costings need probing further
The level of underfunding currently being modelled for the reform of adult social care has the potential to push many authorities into crises and do the same to care providers, with major implications for vulnerable people, says Chris Tambini.
Call for infection control fund investigation
A call has been made for an investigation into how the infection control fund was spent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
EXCLUSIVE: Kerslake backs new UK body to help rebuild Ukraine
Lord Bob Kerslake has backed the idea of the UK setting up a publicly owned body to help rebuild Ukraine, but he believes it should be the country’s own people who take the lead on reconstruction.
Councils seek clarity on homeless refugees
Councils are still awaiting clarity from the Government on support for Ukrainian refugees at risk of homelessness.
Will the cap fit this time?
There are at least three reasons why more delays to the Government’s social care plans would not help secure a better system and could even make things worse. Richard Humphries explains.
Building a health protection system fit for today and tomorrow
A lack of funding could turn a ‘tale of two pandemics’ into a ‘tale of two recoveries’, with some of the most deprived areas less able to support their communities, says Professor Jim McManus.