Politics
EXCLUSIVE: Fresh demand for place-based budgets
A fresh demand for place-based budgets has been made by the co-chair of an independent panel that first made the call five years ago.
Effecting change in more ways than one
Saima Ashraf has journeyed a long way to get to her current position of deputy leader of Barking & Dagenham LBC – and she has used her story to encourage other BME women to aim high within the sector.
Time to wake up
Paul Wheeler says the ‘slow death of capable local political leadership’ is hopefully a wake-up call to parties to invest in and support local politics.
LEP chairs still waiting for PM meeting
An overdue Prime Minister’s meeting of local enterprise partnership (LEP) chairs has not been scheduled, with Number 10 yet to commit to continuing the twice-yearly gatherings.
Unprecedented joint Spending Review bid floated
An unprecedented joint bid could be made to next year’s Spending Review by Core Cities, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Homes England.
Jenrick to check councils' borrowing bids
New local government secretary Robert Jenrick will take a fresh look at councils excessively borrowing for commercial reasons, The MJ understands.
Labour announces plans to ‘revive’ high street
A Labour Government would give councils the power to reopen abandoned shops to ‘revive Britain’s struggling high streets,’ the party has said.
Councils face more funding uncertainty
‘Indicative numbers’ for the amount councils will receive in 2020/21 will not be published before next month’s Spending Review, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has admitted after it missed a self-imposed deadline.
EXCLUSIVE: Jenrick pledges to improve Brexit communications
New local government secretary Robert Jenrick has promised to make communication from Whitehall on Brexit more streamlined and clearer than in the past, The MJ understands.
Council to change finance approach after review
Warrington BC has ‘consistently overspent’ against parts of its budget and needs to change its approach to deliver services ‘from a more sustainable financial footing’.
Be bold with Boris
As a former mayor of London, Boris Johnson understands devolution. Bob Neill urges the sector not to waste the opportunity of a local government-savvy Prime Minister
Report discovers little assurance on council-owned company governance
A Hertsmere BC audit report has only given ‘limited assurance’ that its governance of council-owned companies is effectively controlled.
It’s up to councils to decide how they run their services
The old arguements about in-house or outsourced services have been reawakened by Labour's latest policy announcement but it should be a local decision, argues Michael Burton
LGA: Audit deadline should be pushed back
The July audit deadline should be pushed back to September 30 for future years, the Local Government Association (LGA) has told ministers.
Former Sandwell chief gets Publica role
Council-owned company Publica Group has announced the appointment of former Sandwell MBC chief executive, Jan Britton, as managing director.
Jenrick takes top job at MHCLG
Former Treasury minister Robert Jenrick has been appointed as the new secretary of state at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Brokenshire leaves Cabinet after Johnson arrival
Local government secretary James Brokenshire has announced he will be ‘heading to the backbenches’.
Calls for new PM to make council funding 'immediate domestic priority'
Calls have been made for the next Prime Minister to make council funding his 'immediate domestic priority' after Boris Johnson won the Conservative Party leadership contest.
Conservative Street in housing benefits freeze call
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has called on his own party to reduce homelessness by reversing the housing benefits freeze.
Labour proposes outsourcing reversal
Labour’s plans to reverse outsourcing of council services have drawn a mixed reaction from the sector.