Legislation
Javid considers gradual introduction of 100% rates retention
The move to 100% business rates retention could happen gradually, communities secretary Sajid Javid has revealed.
Westminster considers mansion tax
A voluntary ‘mansion tax’ on properties worth more than £10m is being considered by Westminster City Council.
Lambeth concern at public inspection of finances
Lambeth LBC has raised objections with legislation passed in 2014 that allows the public to inspect local government finances.
Scots set for new care abuse claims
Scotland’s councils have been warned to brace themselves for a wave of compensation claims from people who suffered abuse as children in local authority care.
Javid’s top-to-bottom social housing review
Communities secretary Sajid Javid has launched a green paper on social housing in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
Name and shame threat hangs over councils
Councils that fail to get business rates relief schemes in place by the beginning of next month could be named and shamed by the Government.
Jones: Government fully committed to rates retention
Local government minister Marcus Jones has insisted the Government is ‘still fully committed to proceeding with’ business rates retention.
DCLG ‘light-touch’ fuels homeless rise
Soaring homelessness levels have been described as a ‘national scandal’ after auditors warned ministers were failing to evaluate the impact of their reforms.
New care legislation blamed for overspend
Dundee City Council is predicting a £4.2m overspend against its adjusted 2017/18 revenue budget, councillors will hear next week.
Councils call for modernisation of taxi laws
Council leaders have demanded a rethink of ‘outdated’ taxi laws to reflect new technology, reduce the risk of child sexual exploitation and improve working conditions.
Ombudsman report prompts fresh DoLS reform calls
Fresh calls have been made for urgent reforms to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) system after people were found waiting for proper assessments for years.
Core Cities' Brexit call
The leaders of the UK’s biggest cities this week called on the Government give them greater discretion to deal with the consequences of Brexit.
Wales considers PR for local elections
Councils could be allowed to introduce proportional representation for local elections under new proposals unveiled by the Welsh Government.
Local Government Finance Bill: A big let-down for the sector
With a parliamentary agenda lacking much in terms of legislation for the next two years aside from a series of Bills aimed at delivering a ‘smooth and orderly’ Brexit, Sam Clayden reports on the sector’s reaction to last week's Queen's Speech.
Tensions rise as NHS fines 22 councils for bed-blocking
The NHS has fined at least 22 councils for bed-blocking and threatened 11 others with charges amid escalating tensions between health and care.
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.
100% business rates retention legislation dropped
The Local Government Finance Bill has been dropped from the legislative programme, leaving plans for business rates retention in limbo.
Little substance predicted from Queen's Speech
The Queen’s Speech is set to have Brexit at its heart but not much else, according to predictions in the run up to the state opening of Parliament.
Don't forget informal carers
London Councils’ executive member for adult social care, Cllr Ray Puddifoot, on the value of informal carers.
Welsh industrial action legislation amended
Public sector employers in Wales will no longer be able to use temporary workers to cover the work of employees during industrial action.