Legal
Council hit by £4.6m employment tribunal payout
A council that harassed and discriminated against one of its directors will look to appeal an ‘excessive’ £4.6m award for damages by an employment tribunal.
Leader bullied two senior officers, report finds
A council leader’s behaviour towards two senior officers amounted to bullying, a report into a code of conduct complaint has found.
Northumberland has ‘further to go’
Northumberland CC has ‘further to go’ despite progress on its improvement journey, a report has found.
Judgment day
Kent and Home Office face growing pressure over asylum-seeking children.
Deprivation of Liberty backlog 'may never be eradicated'
A report has called for councils to get more resources to tackle the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) backlog.
Coventry pushes ahead with 'fire and rehire' plan
Coventry City Council has begun a staff consultation over controversial ‘fire and rehire’ proposals.
Voter ID legal challenge launched
A legal challenge has been mounted against the Government over voter ID requirements for elections.
County and districts fight over housing support axe
A bitter row has broken out between Suffolk CC and its districts over proposals to axe the county’s funding for housing-related support (HRS).
Former social care chief sentenced for drug offences
An ex-deputy director of social care at Bradford MDC has been sentenced after pleading guilty to offering to supply and possessing a class A drug.
In praise of a useful financial firebreak
A section s114 notice does not provide a ready-made solution to councils’ funding problems, but it is an important first step on the long and difficult road to redemption, says Iain Murray.
Section 114: Is it really worth all the drama?
Former leader of Nottingham City Council Cllr Graham Chapman looks at the process of serving a section 114 and asks if the benefit is worth the drama and disruption for staff and residents.
Get ready for the Procurement Act
The Procurement Act will bring both risks and opportunities for councils but they should consider how to take advantage of the increased flexibility it brings, says Steven Brunning.
Restrictive covenants: Look before you leap
Local authorities dealing with development land must carry out thorough title due diligence and factor in enough time to resolve any development constraints, says Ayesha Khalique.
Call to end £250m business rate loophole
A campaign to end a loophole which is estimated could cost councils a massive £250m in lost business rates revenue has been backed by senior politicians.
Finance watchdog launches Thurrock investigation
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has launched an investigation into the conduct of an unnamed accountant at Thurrock Council before it declared effective bankruptcy.
Croydon cleared of discrimination claims
Croydon LBC and its chief executive Katherine Kerswell have been cleared of allegations of racial discrimination by an employment tribunal, brought by a former council director.
Wrexham members avoid development plan ‘jail threat’
Councillors in Wrexham have avoided the threat of jail by approving a development plan – but some claimed that the legal warning made a mockery of local democracy.
Council: Gove’s ‘super prison’ decision will stand
Harborough DC has said it will not challenge local government secretary Michael Gove’s decision to grant planning permission for a controversial local ‘super prison’
Council confirms asylum centre appeal
West Lindsey DC is to appeal against the dismissal of its judicial review over the Home Office’s asylum centre plans.
Coroner issues warning over mould
A coroner has warned Mansfield DC that mould in a tenant’s flat may have contributed to her death.