Politics
Conservative call to ring-fence budget for councils
A new Barnett-type formula should be introduced that would legally mandate the Scottish Government to deliver a ring-fenced percentage of its budget to councils, Conservatives have argued.
Levelling Up Fund to feature rapid bid process
The £4bn cross-departmental Levelling Up Fund will feature a rapid bid process, with all projects having to be completed before the next General Election, The MJ understands.
LGA code of conduct 'unlikely to gain traction'
The Local Government Association’s model code of conduct is ‘unlikely to gain any traction across the sector’ because of the lack of sanctions breaches attract, council chief executives have warned Whitehall.
Government 'open' to receiving Oxfordshire merger proposal
The Government is ‘open’ to receiving a proposal for a merger of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse DCs, the already closely integrated Lib Dem-led councils have been told.
Why is central government not listening?
The pandemic has given local authorities the opportunity to shine and demonstrate to government that we can work effectively together, argues Blair Mcpherson.
Cross-party backing for European charter
The European charter of local self-government took a step closer to being incorporated into Scots law after a Bill received cross-party support at stage one.
Government confirms May election date
The Government has officially confirmed local elections will go ahead on May 6.
Extremist fears over vaccine myths
Far-right extremists are feared to be behind the circulation of coronavirus vaccine myths on social media, a director of public health has warned.
Council business park remains offshore
Labour-run Warrington Council has still not decided whether to bring an out-of-town business park onshore more than three years after being accused of avoiding tax, The MJ can reveal.
Scottish councils' cost call
Scottish local authorities have called for the costs of COVID-19 to be met by the Government north of the border.
McArdle drafted in to help Croydon
The lead commissioner at Northamptonshire CC, Tony McArdle, has been appointed to chair Section 114-hit Croydon LBC’s government improvement panel.
Elderly in new campaign of civil disobedience
Up to two million older people in the UK denied the social care support they need could refuse to pay their council tax in protest.
Councils told to return millions in business grants to Whitehall
Councils are being ordered to return millions of pounds in business grants to Whitehall even with firms shuttered in the middle of a national lockdown.
Government accused of hypocrisy over election campaigning
The Government has been accused of hypocrisy for ruling the local elections can go ahead, but restricting councillors’ ability to campaign.
Hall puts pressure on Croydon for May mayoral referendum
Local government minister Luke Hall has suggested any referendum on introducing a directly-elected mayor for Croydon LBC should be held in May alongside the local elections.
EXCLUSIVE: Four areas unprepared for Hong Kong 'surge arrival'
Four local resilience forums have admitted they are unprepared for the potential arrival of thousands of Hong Kongers who are expected to move to UK.
EXCLUSIVE: DCN attempts to use tiers frustration to boost reorganisation case
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) has attempted to boost its local government reorganisation arguments by capitalising on Conservative unhappiness about the tiers system.
EXCLUSIVE: Election officers bid for legal protection
Returning officers have called for protection against lawsuits for running this year’s elections if the Government sticks to holding them in May during a pandemic.
MP launches Bill to scrap business rates
Business rates should be abolished in a bid to save high street shops, an MP has claimed.
Local leaders pile on vaccine pressure
Frustrated local government leaders have piled pressure on ministers and officials over the speed and secrecy surrounding the coronavirus vaccine rollout.
