Politics
Social care needs more cash whether tax hike happens or not, says SIGOMA
Adult social care will need extra funding whether the Government’s planned tax hike goes ahead or not, the chair of the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA) has said.
LEPs claim survival chances boosted
Local enterprise partnerships (LEP) believe their survival chances have been boosted after a meeting with ministers.
Levelling up White Paper to deliver planning reform hints
Hints about the future direction of the Government’s planning reforms are expected to be revealed in next month’s levelling up White Paper, The MJ understands.
Spending power squeeze amid inflation warning
Councils are bracing themselves for a spending power squeeze amid predictions inflation will soar to its highest level for nearly 30 years this spring.
Ministers acknowledge long-term savings from Everyone In
Ministers have acknowledged that the Government’s Everyone In policy will achieve long-term savings despite arguing it is ‘not a sustainable approach’.
Copeland to ask Government for £1.5m capitalisation
Copeland BC is to ask ministers for access to £1.5m in support after a Government-commissioned review laid bare the financial issues facing the authority.
A mismatch between motive and facts on voter ID
‘Partygate’ and rule breaking may be a major distraction from electoral proposals that may disenfranchise many voters, according to Stephen Weigel.
Sheffield chief apologises for Whitehall leaving do
The chief executive officer of Sheffield City Council has apologised for having her Whitehall leaving do while coronavirus restrictions were in place.
Getting a grip
The Government is riven with confusion and incoherence, says Dan Corry. Here, he puts forward the three qualities that are fundamental to getting back on track.
Scots councils angry after Sturgeon snub
Scottish councils have reacted angrily after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon refused to meet them over the recent funding settlement.
Doubts over Levelling Up Fund benefits
Britons are not confident that the Levelling Up Fund will bring more money to their local area, according to a new YouGov survey.
EXCLUSIVE: New core funding model mooted for LRFs
Whitehall officials are considering a rollout of core funding for local resilience forums (LRFs) as part of a revised national strategy to be published in March.
Ongoing tensions highlighted at Edinburgh
An independent review of whistleblowing and the wider culture at Edinburgh City Council has highlighted the impact of ongoing tensions between elected members.
Scottish ministers defend Budget impact on councils
Scottish Government ministers have defended the impact of country’s Budget on councils amid warnings town halls face soaring costs.
Committee urges ministers to review high street role
MPs have urged ministers to review the role of high streets in their COVID-19 recovery strategy amid fears councils could lose further income through reforms.
MPs to quiz council over Arthur's death
Solihull MBC will next month be hauled in front of MPs on the Education Committee to answer questions on the killing of six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.
Minister dismisses 'sham' university study
A minister has dismissed a university study on the UK community renewal fund as a ‘sham’.
Copeland in 'Section 114 territory'
Copeland BC is ‘heading rapidly towards its minimum level of reserves and an expectation internally of issuing a Section 114 notice,’ an external assurance review of the council’s financial position has found.
Bristol to hold mayoral referendum next year
Bristol City Council will hold a referendum in May on whether to keep its 10-year-old mayoral model or switch to a committee system.
Powers warning ahead of new deals
A new report today warns areas reluctant to accept directly-elected leaders in the next wave of devolution deals may be offered ‘fewer powers and flexibilities’.
