Legislation
EXCLUSIVE: Ministry to look at easing sector burdens
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) officials have said they will look at further easing the burdens on the sector amid the coronavirus crisis.
Plans drawn up for remote meetings
Plans to let local authorities conduct their council meetings remotely are being considered by the Government.
Row over York chief departure
A row has erupted over the departure of York City Council’s chief executive.
SEND system 'not working as well as it should' - top civil servant
The reformed system for supporting children with special and educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is ‘not working as well as it should,’ senior civil servants have admitted.
Right to Buy reform calls grow
Calls intensified this week for the Government to reform its ‘outdated’ Right to Buy (RtB) policy in next week’s Budget.
Calls for local audit to be decoupled from system governing companies
Calls are mounting for the regulatory framework for local audit to be decoupled from the system governing companies.
Finance settlement pulled for new terror law
Tomorrow’s local government finance settlement has been pulled to make way for emergency legislation to end the automatic early release of terrorists.
Rates repatriation revolt collapses
An attempt to repatriate the setting of business rates to Scottish councils has collapsed.
EXCLUSIVE: Rate relief delay expected
Changes to business rates reliefs that the Government wants to make from April will not be introduced in time by some councils, The MJ understands.
Davey: SEND crisis could blow up in councils
The acting Lib Dem leader has warned that the crisis in special educational needs and disability (SEND) ‘could blow up in councils across the country’.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils sent back to drawing board on SEND
Councils have been sent back to the drawing board after a quango ripped apart their plans to recover massive special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deficits.
Scottish Government resists business rates devolution plan
Public finance minister Kate Forbes has hit out at opposition proposals to devolve control of business rates to Scottish local authorities.
EXCLUSIVE: Clash over timing of May election counts
Returning officers are on a collision course with police and crime commissioners (PCC) over the timing of counts for the May elections.
March 11 Budget creates 'deep risk' for councils
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has written to the Chancellor warning of the ‘deep risk facing councils’ from delaying the Budget until March 11.
EXCLUSIVE: 100% business rates retention could be back on agenda
Full retention of business rates could shoot back up the agenda as part of a long-awaited Government review, The MJ understands.
Government dismisses same-sex marriage concerns
The Government has dismissed council concerns over registrars potentially refusing to perform same-sex marriages when new legislation comes into force in Northern Ireland next week.
NHS chief slams 'perverse' planning rules
The chief executive of the NHS has slammed ‘perverse’ planning rules making it easier for fast food outlets to open but placing restrictions on gyms.
Councils seek advice over same-sex marriage
Councils are seeking advice ahead of the introduction of regulations that will allow same-sex marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships to take place in Northern Ireland.
Equal pay firm suspends activities
The company that led the recent equal pay action against Glasgow City Council has suspended all activities.
Lib Dems to 'end continual erosion' of council funding
Lib Dems would ‘end the continual erosion’ of local government funding if they win power at the General Election, the party’s manifesto has pledged.