Legal
Austerity must be eased
Heather Jameson says that without the return of business rates or a solution to the social care crisis, the only option must be the easing of austerity.
Chief resigns ahead of crunch hearing
Bury MBC’s suspended chief executive, Mike Owen, resigned ahead of this week’s hearing into his handling of historical child abuse allegations.
It’s time for a cultural shift in public sector procurement
Social impact cannot be achieved unless place-based organisations' role in the commissioning of private sector contracts is increased, argues Mark Cook.
Council makes 'significant improvements'
Inverclyde Council has made ‘significant improvements’ in its financial management and service delivery, auditors have found.
Poole and Bournemouth to work together
Poole and Bournemouth Councils are planning to combine back office services as part of plans to save £16m over the next two years.
Boost for women in equal pay fight
Thousands of low paid women have been given permission to proceed with their equal pay claims against Glasgow City Council.
Thurrock rapped over failed court case
A council that tried to prosecute a trio over allegations of a ‘very large scale fraud’ to generate income has been scolded by a court.
'Commercial' shouldn't be a dirty word in health and care
Only by addressing the commercial realities of new health and care partnerships can organisations be entirely patient-focused and prevent contractual difficulties from affecting the quality of service delivery, argues Simon Goacher.
Tory manifesto pledge comes under fire
Government plans to intensify the use of deferred payments for social care costs could be stymied by councils’ reluctance to support claw-back deals, a former pensions minister has warned.
Kent pioneers launch of first private law practice
Kent CC will next month become the country’s first local authority to own a private law practice.
Whitehall urged to referee sector’s NHS disputes over rates relief
Shadow minister Jim McMahon has called for the Government to intervene in the dispute between councils and NHS trusts over business rates relief.
Cost of legal row spirals to £1m
Law lords have delayed their final decision on a £250m dispute over who pays for registered nurses in Wales’ care homes.
‘Object to LOBO loans,’ DRUK urges residents
Campaigners are hoping to double the number of objections to council accounts this year as they continue their campaign against lender option borrower option (LOBO) loans.
Carlton steps in after retirement
Stuart Carlton has been appointed director of children’s services for North Yorkshire CC following Pete Dwyer’s retirement this summer after four years in the role.
Judge to investigate Bury chief’s suspension
Bury MBC has appointed a deputy High Court judge to investigate the circumstances behind the suspension of its chief executive.
MacDonald commits to £6m Lambeth scheme
Plans to undertake a large-scale regeneration project in Lambeth have moved a step closer with contractor Mott MacDonald appointed for a development management contract.
Row with trust stalls stadium project
A row has broken out between Wakefield City Council and a community trust over the building of a new stadium.
‘Give us powers to over-rule commercial confidentiality’
Councils are demanding powers to over-rule ‘commercial confidentiality’ when scrutinising how private sector providers deliver local services.
Judicial review over 'unlawful' funding
The country’s largest representative body for adult social care providers has accused Essex CC of ‘unlawful’ practices over how much it pays care home providers.
Sector needs to change mindset on purchasing
Public sector bodies including councils must ‘change their mindset’ on cross-working with the private sector and academics on procurement, according to an international law firm.