It’s been a busy 12 months.
As chaos at Westminster brought us three Prime Ministers, war raged on the Continent and the nation mourned the passing of its monarch, local authorities did what they always do – soldiered on.
January
The year began with the nation harbouring hopes of a brighter future beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.
In her Comment, The MJ’s editor Heather Jameson asked whether this could be the year of lift-off for local government.
It lasted about a week, as services buckled under the pressure of widespread absences and a recruitment crisis in crucial sectors.
By the end of the month inflation was predicted to rise – to as much as 6.8%, with dire implications for council budgets.
Elsewhere, pressure of a different kind mounted on ministers as questions were asked over how the £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund was awarded.
February
The long-awaited Levelling Up White Paper finally arrived, explaining how Middlesbrough would be turned into Renaissance Florence. It was quickly accused of lacking detail (other than a potted history of the Medicis) and amounting to ‘rehashing and repetition’.
Sheffield chief executive Kate Josephs found herself drawn into the lockdown party investigations that were to dog Downing Street for months.
Together Energy collapsed, leaving a multi-million pound whole in the finances of Warrington Council, which owned 50% of the company.
March
The sector sprang into action to stand beside Ukraine, ready to receive thousands of refugees fleeing the Russian invasion, while on its front page The MJ joined town halls in flying the blue and yellow flag.
Councils and local government pension funds rushed to cut ties with Russian-linked companies in a further show of solidarity.
Foreshadowing an autumn of industrial unrest, Northern Ireland’s council workers walked out on strike while movers and shakers gathered for The MJ’s Future Forum North.
Commissioners were sent into Sandwell MBC, and Slough Council’s intervention team sacked chief executive Josie Wragg for ‘gross misconduct’.
April
Oxford City Council was embroiled in a planning dispute over a giant shark on a residential house in a story that surprisingly wasn’t an April Fool’s prank.
Almost all eligible councils – 150 out of 152 – raised their adult care precepts for the new financial year.
Yet another long-awaited piece of legislation, the Planning Bill, was scrapped, after being deemed a tad too contentious among the Tory backbenches.
The full dispersal system was launched, aiming to spread the burden of supporting people awaiting asylum decisions.
May
Local elections saw Labour making some gains and widespread Tory losses, but the biggest story was Bristol voting to scrap the post of mayor.
The Health and Care Bill received royal assent, officially enshrining Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) around the country.
The Child Safeguarding Practice Review into the tragic deaths of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson was published.
A Queen’s Speech (albeit delivered by a prince) promised a business rates bill and further devolution across England, Northumberland issued a section 114 notice, and The MJ spoiled councils with the second of three Future Forums to take place in 2022. You’re welcome.
June
While the nation marked the Queen’s jubilee, even more celebrations were in order at The MJ achievement awards, in which Telford & Wrekin Council was named local authority of the year and Monica Fogarty took home the coveted chief executive of the year prize to Warwickshire – more of that on p14-15 this week.
The Local Government Association issued warnings over the impact of energy costs, wage demands and inflation adding £2.4bn to in-year council budgets, surprising nobody.
Weary public health officials raised the alarm over the emergence of Monkeypox and commissioners were sent into Nottingham following its issuing of a section 114 notice the previous December.
July
Kate Josephs was handed a written warning by Sheffield City Council for attending one of the infamous Downing Street lockdown parties and finally got back to work.
Speaking of which, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s administration was hit by the ministerial resignations of, well, pretty much everyone, apart from Nadine Dorries, prior to its inevitable collapse. It paved the way for a new/old secretary of state to be installed in the form of Greg Clark.
The Welsh Government unveiled its ambitious plans to overhaul council tax and a national flat rate pay increase of £1,925 for council workers was tabled, final agreement being reached in October.
August
England’s Lionesses won the European Championships and the hearts of a nation, with town halls draped in St George’s Crosses.
Competition of a different kind got under way in Birmingham as the Commonwealth Games began and a slightly less thrilling summer showdown took place between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak (remember him?) for the Tory leadership.
Then-communities secretary Greg Clark announced a clampdown on asset sales, described as ‘dodgy deals’, and there was further intervention with extended powers for commissioners at Liverpool City Council.
September
A bright new era began as Liz Truss was declared Prime Minister after winning the Tory leadership contest, installing former Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities minister Simon Clarke as secretary of state and announcing a mini-Budget with repercussions that were anything but mini.
Another, considerably longer era came to an end as councils led the nation in mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the proclamation of King Charles III.
Further intervention powers were announced for commissioners at Slough, while Essex CC was appointed to oversee a financial review at Thurrock BC. An East Midlands deal covering Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire was thrashed out.
October
Following the ousting of Liz Truss from Downing Street (let’s blame the anti-growth coalition), the second Tory leadership contest of the year was less a contest and more of a coronation for Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister. It again paved the way for a new/old secretary of state to be installed in the form of Michael Gove.
The Local Government Association published, and then quietly withdrew, an inclusive language guide which was pilloried by the right-leaning sections of the press for suggesting alternative terms, such as ‘birthing parent’ instead of mum or dad.
The Independent Investigation into Child Sexual Abuse put forward wide-ranging changes to the system, and the adult social care reforms were put back by a minimum of 12 months.
November
A flurry of injunctions were issued and then rescinded by the courts over the use of hotels as emergency accommodation for asylum seekers by the Home Office.
Croydon LBC issued a section 114 notice, sparking warnings that others will inevitably follow as a result of pressures on budgets, and Bromsgrove and Redditch were served section 24 notices by auditor Grant Thornton.
The Autumn Statement painted a bleak picture for the country’s economic future but spared the sector the harshest of treatment, raising the referendum threshold for council tax rises to 5% and announcing more mayoral authorities.
December
Drama embroiled the Levelling Up Bill as those pesky Tory backbenchers revolted over planning matters. Michael Gove was cajoled into scrapping housing targets and easing restrictions on onshore wind farms.
The MJ’s third and final Future Forum of the year took place in Manchester.
The Government’s announcement of a devolution deal for Cornwall was swiftly followed by two more for Norfolk and Suffolk, although there was a frosty reception for the inclusion of directly-elected mayors.
After a bumper year for political seismology, the sector looks forward to what will surely be a nice, quiet 2023… The team here at The MJ wishes you a joyful festive season and a very happy New Year.
