Legislation
Four-day week council decision 'disappointing and arrogant'
South Cambridgeshire DC’s decision to continue with its four-day week is ‘disappointing and arrogant,’ local government minister Simon Hoare has said.
Scottish Budget 'not good' for communities
Next year’s Scottish Budget is ‘not good’ for communities, council leaders have said.
The peer challenge
A reformed House of Lords must imply a new role in Parliament for local government leaders, says Michael Burton.
Chiefs back ethnicity pay gap reporting
Council chiefs have backed proposals that would place a duty on local authorities to collect data and report on staffing, pay and outcomes by ethnicity.
Officer warning over street votes
Senior council officers have issued a scathing response to plans for street-level planning votes – dismissing the idea as a costly and complex ‘proliferation of polls’.
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.
It’s the era of the ALMO
Far from becoming extinct, arm’s-length housing management organisations offer better performance for less cash. Mike Ainsley and Eamon McGoldrick explain.
Ban on councils boycotting Israel moves forward
MPs have voted through legislation that aims to ban councils from launching boycotts of Israeli goods.
How CCS is preparing for the new Procurement Act
A look at how Crown Commercial Service is preparing for the Procurement Act 2023.
What can councils expect from stronger social housing regulation?
As councils get ready for the biggest shake-up in social housing regulation in 10 years, regulator Angela Holden gives an early insight into what to expect, ahead of the details due to published early next year.
Regional working is here to stay
John Copps says regional working in children’s services can no longer be something that can be seen as a side show and local authorities need to engage now or risk getting left behind.
Is it time to consider AI legislation?
Watching the development of the EU AI Act could provide local authorities unsure about the use of AI and its potential impact with some useful guidelines, writes Sandip Patel KC.
Committee calls for Government action on council debt chasing
Councils have been found to use ‘heavy-handed’ tactics to chase council tax debts, according to a report by MPs.
The way ahead for awarding health service contracts
The Provider Selection Regime will lead to more transparency in the award of health service contracts, and local authorities will need to monitor their compliance and publish annual summaries, says Mary Mundy.
Navigating procurement reform
Raoul Robinson offers a guide to the new procurement regime, setting out key updates and unveiling a number of the most important tools to help deal with the reform.
Housing minister among casualties of Sunak reshuffle
The UK will have its 16th housing minister in 12 years after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s sweeping reshuffle affected the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Ensuring a plan comes together
A genuine working partnership between central and local government is vital to the success of local planning, as Justin ‘Hannibal’ Griggs explains.
Watchdog warning over elections
It could take a generation to restore public confidence if there are major problems at the next General Election including with voter ID, a watchdog has warned.
Gove's pay plan dismissed as 'unnecessary gimmick'
Communities secretary Michael Gove’s embryonic plan to require full councils to approve top salaries has been dismissed as an ‘unnecessary gimmick’ by sector figures.
King's Speech light on local government solutions
The Government has vowed to increase economic growth – but warned the Treasury would prioritise cutting inflation over investments and borrowing – in its Parliamentary programme.