Local Government Association
Councils and union clash over zero-hour contracts
Councils have insisted on keeping the option of zero-hour contracts as Unison prepares to push the sector’s associations to back a campaign to abolish them.
A campaign to dispel some of the myths about local government
Unison has launched a campaign this week to celebrate the work of council staff. General secretary Dave Prentis explains why.
Investigating the homelessness challenge on the Isle of Wight
The fourth leg of the LG Challenge 2019 landed at Isle of Wight Council. Penny Galvin outlines how the participants performed on delivering a route from homelessness to housing
It’s a good time to lobby
Dan Corry says that while the policy world is currently in something of a stasis lock, politically we’re seeing major realignments, with new battlefields – or at least new fronts – opening up everywhere.
LGA's own leadership race is underway
The Local Government Association’s very own leadership election is underway with three Conservative candidates throwing their hats into the ring to become the next chairman.
EXCLUSIVE: Unison to make 'bold' pay claim
Unison is poised to ask local government employers for a 10% pay rise in a ‘bold’ claim being submitted for 2020/21, The MJ has learnt.
Council preparations for Brexit 'hampered' by Whitehall
Whitehall’s lack of focus and co-ordination ‘hampered’ councils’ preparations for Brexit in the run-up to April 12, a Local Government Association (LGA) report has said.
Porter in top up cash call
Councils will need a cash top up if the political turmoil forces the new Prime Minister to delay plans for a three-year Spending Review, Local Government Association (LGA) chairman Lord Porter has warned.
Business rates system 'past its sell-by date'
The business rates system is out of date, out of touch, unfit for purpose and ‘past its sell-by-date,’ local government leaders told MPs at a Treasury Committee hearing today.
EXCLUSIVE: New protocol to ease council tensions
A protocol encouraging best practice between councils will be drawn up by the Local Government Association (LGA) as tensions grow around increasing out of area placements, The MJ understands.
LGA misses peer review target
The Local Government Association (LGA) has missed its target to halve the number of councils that have not had a corporate peer challenge, its latest progress report has revealed.
Fresh call for business rates avoidance action
The Local Government Association (LGA) has made a fresh call for ministers to tackle business rates avoidance – more than two years after commitments were first made.
The cost of the care challenge
The recent collapse into administration of care provider Four Seasons has highlighted the huge financial pressures the sector faces. Michael Burton examines the figures
LGA calls for audit changes
Councils have called for auditors to be made to ‘act promptly and report on a timely basis’ when there are concerns within a particular authority.
Senior officer capacity call
Stroud DC should expand its senior officer capacity as soon as it can to help chief executive Kathy O’Leary drive change, Local Government Association peers have urged.
Cut business rates, claims Treasury's Truss
Business rates should be cut to support the private sector, chief secretary to the Treasury, Liz Truss, told a Smith Square debate last night.
EXCLUSIVE: Fight for oversight
Brokenshire moves to impose fresh conditions on ‘top slice’ cash
Unfreezing social mobility
Social mobility has been stagnating for years, says a new report. How can councils help drive social mobility upwards and reduce levels of income inequality – and what’s holding them back? Ann McGauran reports
Let’s admit the failures of councils and their funding
It can only be a good thing if Government wants to increase governance, protect the public and improve services, says Heather Jameson. But it needs to start by ensuring public services are properly funded and admitting where they are going wrong.
Fresh push on apprenticeship levy reforms
A broad coalition to push for more flexibility in the apprenticeship levy could be formed to mark the two-year anniversary of the reforms, The MJ understands.