London Councils
Auditors poised to qualify accounts over SEND
Auditors are poised to qualify some value for money opinions as a result of spiralling special educational needs and disabilities deficits, The MJ understands.
Spending Review will 'fail to offer long-term view' for sector
This year’s Spending Review will fail to offer a long-term view for local government, The MJ understands.
Grenfell council calls for homeless help
A small London council has called for other boroughs to help house its homeless.
Camden leader set to take on London Councils role
Camden LBC leader Georgia Gould has been elected to take over as chair of London Councils by her Labour colleagues.
London Councils chief announces plan to step down
The chief executive of London Councils, John O’Brien, has announced he will step down from the role after 14 years.
The complexity conundrum
John O'Brien says there must be some clear line of sight from the Government on the role of the sector in renewal 'and contributing to tackling the big national challenges we all face'.
Income compensation scheme fails to cover the cost of COVID
Government plans to compensate councils for income lost due to COVID-19 are only likely to cover half the cost of the losses, it is claimed.
Evictions ban extended
The Government has extended the ban on evictions of renters for a further month following lobbying by councils.
Councils warn of ‘avalanche of evictions’
The local government sector is braced for a deluge of homelessness following the end of the evictions ban.
'Unique model' could be expanded
A ‘unique model’ that procures accommodation for homeless Londoners and those at risk could be expanded as the capital faces a ‘tsunami’ of homelessness.
Income guarantee scheme details awaited
Councils are still waiting for details of the Government’s much-heralded income guarantee scheme almost six weeks after it was announced.
London leaders hit out at PM's failure to engage
The Mayor of London and leader of London Councils have written to the Prime Minister protesting that COVID contingency plans for the capital have been drawn up without them.
London boroughs face £23m rent arrears due to Universal Credit
The rollout of Universal Credit is leading to thousands of council tenants falling behind on rent payments, new research commissioned by London Councils has found.
Let's hold on to what we've learned
John O'Brien says that for 'all of the enormous and well documented challenges, people at the local government front line have achieved remarkable things at pace and scale'. We must hold on to what has been learned, he adds.
CIPFA mulls legal action against council
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) has put aside £500,000 to fund potential legal action against Ealing LBC over a contract dispute.
Financial crisis for capital's councils to stretch into 2021/22, MPs warned
The financial crisis facing London’s councils will stretch beyond the end of this financial year, the capital’s MPs have been warned.
Havering furloughs 260 workers
Havering LBC has furloughed 260 of its workers as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Fresh funding row brews
Another row was brewing this week over how much councils have spent on coronavirus and how much the Government will cover.
£3.7bn coronavirus-hit for London boroughs and counties
The total estimated financial impact of coronavirus on London boroughs and counties is expected to total £3.7bn in 2020/21, an initial analysis of the latest returns to the Government has revealed.
PPE supplies to 'run out within days'
Dwindling supplies of vital life-saving personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline care workers will run out within days, the Local Government Association (LGA) warned today.
