Local Government Association
London Councils cools on online sales tax
London Councils has distanced itself from support for an online sales tax (OST).
Councillors back Greater Lincolnshire devolution deal
Proposals for a mayoral devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire have been approved by the three upper-tier councils.
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.
Councils lobby for reduced audit fees amid backstop plan
Fees for councils should be slashed if auditors are forced to give qualified opinions due to failing to meet the backstop deadline later this year, English councils have said.
Woking and Thurrock failures 'embarrassing'
The local government watchdog’s chief executive has said the collapse of councils such as Woking and Thurrock should not have been allowed to happen.
Right to Buy lobbying fails as Treasury ends temporary boost
The Treasury has confirmed councils will no longer keep 100% of Right to Buy (RTB) receipts after the current financial year despite lobbying by the sector.
'Culture of mistrust' found at Newham
Newham LBC’s chief executive has vowed to tackle the ‘culture of mistrust’ among politicians and officers laid bare by a critical peer review.
Lending rates could spike after audit reset, LGA warns
Proposals to reset the local audit system and clear the backlog of accounts could drive up the lending rates offered to the sector, councils have warned.
LGA 'strengthens' peer challenge but still won't name and shame resistant councils
The Local Government Association (LGA) has launched its ‘strengthened’ corporate peer challenge (CPC) to help neutralise the threat from Oflog.
Audit Commission fears continue to haunt Oflog
A senior sector figure has expressed concerns about the Office for Local Government’s (Oflog) direction of travel.
Chiefs: Sector can afford senior pay hike
Council chiefs have insisted their pay settlement must match the award for local government staff after years in which senior wage rises have fallen behind.
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.
LGA moves towards performance support role
The Local Government Association (LGA) is to take a more proactive role as it seeks to do more to prevent Whitehall intervention in councils, The MJ understands.
Local government figures made peers
Local government has been recognised in the latest round of peerages, with two senior figures heading to the House of Lords.
LGA calls for powers to withhold councillors' address
Monitoring officers should be allowed to withhold councillors’ home addresses from public registers to help tackle rising levels of abuse and hate, Smith Square has said.
LGA announces new chief
The Local Government Association (LGA) has announced Surrey CC boss Joanna Killian will be its new chief executive.
Unions plan for January pay claim
Local government trade unions are aiming to submit their next one-year pay claim in January, The MJ understands.
Councils welcome PWLB rate extension
Councils have welcomed chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s decision to extend preferential Public Works Loan Board borrowing rates for Housing Revenue Account (HRA) expenditure.
Pressure for LGA peer review to be strengthened
Senior Local Government Association (LGA) figures are pushing the organisation to beef up its peer review offer to help neutralise the threat from Oflog.
Department's financial views questioned
Levelling up civil servants have told council chiefs financial pressures have eased but watchdogs have warned other Whitehall departments may be driving local government’s costs.